Chelsea Draw Real Sociedad in Women's Champions League Qualifier
Chelsea will face Real Sociedad in the Women's Champions League third qualifying round, with a place in the competition's new league phase at stake over two legs.
The draw, held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland, on 11 August 2026, paired the London club with the Basque side in what is the final hurdle before the group-stage equivalent — a 16-team league phase that replaces the old format (UEFA). Chelsea play the first leg at home on 26 August and travel to Spain for the second leg on 2 September (The Guardian).
Real Sociedad finished third in Spain's top division last season, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. That is serious opposition. Chelsea, though, carry their own European pedigree: runners-up in 2021 and six-time semi-finalists, they are a club used to the deep end of this competition.
They find themselves in qualifying rather than straight into the league phase because of a third-placed finish in the Women's Super League last season — their lowest league placing since 2019. A 3-1 win in May secured their spot in the third qualifying round draw (Chelsea FC), and now the route back to Europe's top table runs through San Sebastian.
The draw produced several eye-catching ties beyond Chelsea's. Eintracht Frankfurt were paired with Paris Saint-Germain, St Polten meet Juventus, Wolfsburg face Inter, and Ajax take on Real Madrid. Nine two-legged ties in total will decide the last league-phase berths.
Money is part of what makes reaching the league phase matter. All 18 clubs in that phase receive a guaranteed minimum of €505,000, with €60,000 for every win and €20,000 for every draw. Finish-based bonuses range from €10,000 to €180,000. The eventual champions would collect €1,050,000 across the knockout phase, including €500,000 for winning the final.
For Chelsea, the fixture computer has served up a demanding start to the season. Their Women's Super League campaign opens at home to Aston Villa on 5 September — three days after the second leg in Spain. Qualification, league form, and squad rotation will all collide in that opening week.
The first leg at Kingsmeadow on 26 August is where it begins.
