Europe's premier club competition, the 2026-27 UEFA Women's Champions League, returns on September 22, with 18 teams set to battle for glory in a revised league format. The reigning champions, FC Barcelona, embark on their title defense, albeit without star player Alexia Putellas, who has moved to London City Lionesses. Newcomers Inter Milan and Austria Wien add fresh excitement to the tournament.

Fans can catch all the action on CBS Sports platforms, with Paramount+ streaming every match and CBS Sports Network airing select games. This season features a single-league format where each team plays six matches, vying for a top-four finish to advance to the quarterfinals.

Key Contenders:

• FC Barcelona: Strong favorites, despite losing Putellas, with a focus on possession and technical play.
• OL Lyonnes: Hungry for redemption after last season's final loss, bolstered by new signing Salma Paralluelo.
• Chelsea: Aiming to rebound after significant player departures, including Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten.
• Arsenal: Former champions looking to regain form with new acquisitions like Georgia Stanway.
• Manchester City: Competing in UWCL for the first time, featuring top talents like Bunny Shaw.

Newcomers:

• Austria Wien: Entering with a domestic double and a hat trick hero in Modesta Uka.
• Inter Milan: Making their debut after a thrilling qualification process.

Long Shots:

• HB Koge and Servette FC return after absences, while Roma aims to improve upon last season's performance.

Underdogs:

• Bayern Munich and Real Madrid face challenges with key player losses.

The league phase promises thrilling matchups, starting with pivotal games on September 22 and 23. The competition is fierce, and the road to the final in Warsaw is officially underway.