Matildas Abroad Preview: UWCL league phase begins

The first games of the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase begins overnight, with Aussies set to go head-to-head. 

Read our preview of all of the action below. Fans in Australia will be able to watch the games via Disney+. 

WAC 2026 Single Match Tickets

Arsenal vs OL Lyonnes

The reigning UWCL Champions, Arsenal, kick off their title defence against the eight-time champions, OL Lyonnes in their opening game of the league phase. Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross will all be available for the Gunners as they look to kick off their campaign with a win; however, they will be up against a tough opposition in Teagan Micah's Lyon, who have lifted the title eight times.

The two teams met in last year's semi-final, where Lyon recorded a 2-1 victory in the first leg, while the Gunners came away with a 4-1 victory in the second leg to win 5-3 on aggregate and book their spot in the final. 

Arsenal vs Lyon
Date: Wed, 8th Oct
Time: 6:00am AEDT
Watch Live

Real Madrid vs Roma

Wini Heatley's AS Roma kick off their league phase campaign with their opening game against Real Madrid. The side booked their spot in the knockout stage of qualifying after Sporting CP 3-2 on aggregate. 

Real Madrid vs Roma
Date: Thurs, 9th Oct
Time: 3:45am AEDT
Watch Live

Twente vs Chelsea

Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter's Chelsea will take on Twente in their opening game of the league phase. Sonia Bompastor's side remained undefeated in domestic competitions last season, completing the treble; however, for a third year running were knocked out of the UEFA Women's Champions League by FC Barcelona in the semi-finals.

Chelsea will be hoping their new signings, in the likes of two-time UWCL Champion Carpenter, will be able to bring experience for the side to go one step further this season and book their spot in the final.

Twente vs Chelsea
Date: Thurs, 9th Oct
Time: 3:45am AEDT
Watch Live