Europa Cup breaks new ground for women's football in Europe

"Today, we look forward to another fundamental milestone for the professionalisation of European club football, said Nadine Kessler, Uefa's managing director of women's football, at the time. The new format for the Women's Champions League will reinforce the competition's position at the pinnacle of club football and, combined with the introduction of the new second competition, will further incentivise growth domestically and help us to build a strong and open European football pyramid that everyone can be proud of."

"With qualifying complete, the business end of the Women's Europa Cup gets under way on Wednesday. It will mark another milestone in women's football, a side of the sport that is constantly evolving and developing. Starting with the round of 16, teams will embark on a journey of two-legged knockout ties that lead to the inaugural final. The winner will also be decided across two legs, due to take place in May and June next year."

"However, while the brand of Uefa's flagship domestic competition is strong, and its popularity and prestige ever-increasing, the number of available places remains relatively limited, despite an expanded format. While 65 teams took part across three rounds of qualifying this season, only 18 progressed to the league phase of the Champions League, meaning most sides' European adventure is over before it has truly begun."

The Women's Europa Cup enters its knockout phase with the round of 16, featuring two-legged ties leading to an inaugural two-legged final scheduled for May and June next year. The competition was launched to increase European opportunities for clubs beyond the Women's Champions League, whose expanded format still limits places. Sixty-five teams entered qualifying this season but only 18 reached the Champions League league phase, leaving many clubs' European campaigns short-lived. The new second competition and Champions League format are intended to incentivise domestic investment, reinforce the Champions League's position, and help build a stronger, more open European club football pyramid. Direct entrants into Europa Cup qualifying include clubs from lower positions in the Uefa club coefficient rankings to broaden access across disparate leagues.

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