- The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will take place in London with semi-finals on January 28 and the final on February 1, 2026.
- Reigning European champions Arsenal will compete for the title, aiming to be the first winners of this new competition.
- Sky Sports will exclusively broadcast all matches starting from January 28, 2026.
- The tournament features Arsenal, Gotham FC, Corinthians, and ASFAR as semi-finalists after qualifying through their respective continental competitions.
Introduction to the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup
The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup marks a significant milestone in women’s football. This inaugural event will bring together the top club teams from around the world, setting new standards for the sport and providing a platform for global competition.
Road to the Final Stage
The competition begins with two first-round matches held in October and December 2025, which saw CAF Women’s Champions League winners ASFAR secure their place in the semi-finals. The two semi-final clashes are set for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Brentford Stadium. The third-place play-off and final will then take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Arsenal’s stadium.
Teams Qualified for the Tournament
The continental club champions from the previous season have qualified for this tournament. However, two teams—AFC Women’s Champions League holders Wuhan Chegu Jiangda and OFC Women’s Champions League winners Auckland City—were eliminated in the first round.
The remaining spots went to:
- ASFAR, who are set to face Arsenal in one of the semi-finals,
- Gotham FC, which secured their place by defeating Mexican side Tigres in a CONCACAF tournament,
- Corinthians, which beat Deportivo Cali in the CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina.
Broadcast and Viewing Options
Sky Sports will exclusively broadcast all matches, starting with Gotham FC vs. SC Corinthians (12:30pm) and Arsenal Women vs. ASFAR (6:00pm) on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The third-place play-off and final will be hosted at Arsenal four days later.
Sky Sports’ coverage will feature expert commentary from Izzy Christiansen, Caroline Barker, Natalie Gedra, Ellen Ellard, and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, providing fans with in-depth analysis of the games.
Impact on the WSL
The tournament’s inclusion may impact the Women’s Super League (WSL) fixtures. Arsenal’s involvement means their match against Leicester City, scheduled for Saturday, January 31, has been postponed. The remaining five games that weekend will proceed as planned on Sunday, February 1, with four being shown live on Sky Sports.
Record-Breaking Prize Money
The winners of the Champions Cup Trophy in 2026 will receive a record-breaking $2.3 million (£1.7 million), while the runners-up will earn $1 million (£750,000). FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström highlighted that this prize money is part of FIFA’s commitment to growing women’s club football and ensuring visibility and value for the sport.
“A total payout of close to $4 million distributed among the six participants based on their performance is a clear statement of the belief in women’s club football and the players, teams, and competitions driving its continued rise,” he stated. “It reflects the global growth of the women’s game and FIFA’s commitment to making targeted, meaningful investments that strengthen women’s club football for the long term.”
Conclusion
The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup is set to be a landmark event in women’s football history. With high-stakes matches, record-breaking prize money, and exclusive broadcast coverage, this tournament will undoubtedly bring increased visibility and excitement to the sport.
Note: All dates, numbers, names, and quotes are as originally stated in the article from January 2026. The information provided is a faithful representation of the original content without any changes or updates.
