Arsenal host Lyon to start new Women's Champions League format | Sports

PARIS, Oct 6, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Title-holders Arsenal will kickstart their Women's Champions League defence when they host eight-time winners Lyon on Tuesday as the elite European club competition debuts its new format. An 18-team league phase -- in which all clubs play six matches, three at home and three away -- has replaced the former 16-team group stage as the women's competition comes more into alignment with the men's version. The top four in the standings qualify directly for the quarter-finals, while the teams finishing fifth to 12th will advance to a knockout play-off round. With such high stakes, teams need to hit the ground running. Reigning champions Arsenal could hardly have asked for a more difficult start to...