February 10 – Just six match days into its new format, the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) is breaking records both in terms of media impact and increased competitiveness.
The UEFA figures are in marked contrast to FIFA’s just completed Women’s Champions Cup (UWCL) that ultimately was notable for both its record prize money but failure to catch the imagination of fans. The final between Arsenal and Flamengo in the Emirates Stadium, London, was played out in front of just 23,000 fans.
The first season of UEFA’s revamped, 18‑team, Women’s Champions League league phase is being trumpeted as a major step forward for elite women’s club football, showing a 164% increase in live viewership.
Nadine Kessler, UEFA women’s football director: “What we have seen so far this season is exactly what we hoped: dynamism, unpredictability, comebacks, debutants making their mark and top clashes between big teams. The UEFA Women’s Champions League is building on its 25-year history and cementing its position as the global benchmark in women’s club football.
Broadcast in 207 territories, with 44 broadcast partners showing live matches, the UWCL league phase has attracted 2.6 times more live viewers than last season at the same stage. Across the 54 matches played, the average live audience increased by 135% year on year, said UC3, the joint commercial venture between UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC) that markets the rights.
Cumulative live viewership has reached 13.5 million, a milestone that UEFA said was only achieved during the final last season. This equates to an average of 2.25 million viewers per matchweek.
On social platforms, total interactions have reached 774 million, an 84% increase on last season.
A key selling point of the new format was that it would increase drama and intensity on the pitch. So far it has delivered, with 54% of matches drawn or decided by a single goal, compared to 27% at the same stage of the 2024/25 season.
Matches have also been more open, with both teams scoring in 54% of games, up from 38% last season. Crucially the competition is winning the backing of the players.
“It’s not a matter of playing the same team twice, both home and away, but it’s about being on it and focused, and in that moment, because you know you’re not going to play that team again. You need to make the most of the 90 minutes that are in front of you,” said Bayern München and England midfielder Georgia Stanway.
The top four teams from the league phase – Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, Bayern München – have already secured direct qualification for the quarter-finals, while the knockout play-offs – on 11/12 and 18/19 February – see Atlético Madrid face Manchester United, Paris FC meet Real Madrid, OH Leuven against holders Arsenal and Wolfsburg take on Juventus.
The season will conclude at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on May 23.
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