Chelsea Women begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League league-phase campaign against Austria Wien on Wednesday night.
Sonia Bompastor’s side enter Europe with momentum after beating Birmingham City 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Lexi Potter opened the scoring before returning striker Melvine Malard made the victory safe after the break.
Our Chelsea Women 2-0 Birmingham City match report covered another dominant performance from the Blues, although Bompastor admitted they should have been more clinical.
Attention now turns immediately to Europe.
Here is everything supporters need to know about Chelsea Women against Austria Wien.
When is Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien?
Chelsea face Austria Wien on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST.
UEFA’s official fixture schedule confirms the game is one of four Women’s Champions League fixtures taking place on Wednesday night.
Barcelona host Paris FC at the same time.
Where is Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien being played?
The game will take place at Plough Lane, also known as the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Chelsea have confirmed that all three of their Women’s Champions League league-phase home fixtures will be played there rather than Stamford Bridge.
The official Chelsea Champions League schedule also lists home matches against Roma and Paris Saint-Germain at Plough Lane later in the competition.
Chelsea’s domestic arrangement is different.
Stamford Bridge became the permanent WSL home of Chelsea Women this season, something covered in our evergreen Chelsea Women guide.
European fixtures should therefore be checked separately before travelling.
What TV channel is Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien on?
Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien will be shown live on Disney+ in the UK.
Disney has confirmed that all 75 Women’s Champions League matches in 2026/27 will stream live on Disney+ as part of an existing subscription.
Its coverage begins with Matchday One on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The broadcaster’s official announcement specifically includes Chelsea against Austria Wien among Wednesday’s matches.
Disney+ will also run its new live Women’s Champions League studio programme throughout the matchday.
Chelsea Women vs Austria Wien details
Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Kick-off: 8pm BST
Venue: Plough Lane, London
TV/live stream: Disney+
Chelsea Women team news vs Austria Wien
Chelsea are likely to be without Lauren James.
Bompastor confirmed James suffered a knock during Chelsea’s final training session before facing Birmingham.
The head coach said she will probably miss Wednesday’s game, although Chelsea hope to have her available again for Sunday’s WSL meeting with Arsenal.
Our latest Lauren James injury update explains the expected return timeline.
Her absence would remove one of Chelsea’s most productive attackers.
There is better news elsewhere.
Malard returned from injury against Birmingham and scored only eight minutes after being introduced.
We examined why the striker’s comeback is particularly important in our Melvine Malard Chelsea return analysis.
Naomi Girma and Nathalie Björn were also back among the substitutes on Saturday, significantly increasing Bompastor’s defensive options.
Chelsea begin demanding Champions League schedule
Austria Wien are the first of six different opponents Chelsea will face during the league phase.
Our Chelsea Women Champions League fixtures guide has the complete schedule.
The Blues travel to OL Lyonnes only seven days after Wednesday’s opener before facing Roma, Häcken, Paris Saint-Germain and OH Leuven.
UEFA also confirms this will be the first competitive meeting between Chelsea and Austria Wien.
It is Austria Wien’s first meeting with an English side, while Chelsea’s previous Women’s Champions League encounter with Austrian opposition ended in a 6-0 victory over St Pölten last season.
Bompastor will therefore expect Chelsea to begin their European campaign with a victory.
First, they must turn the dominance shown against Birmingham into a more clinical attacking performance.
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