Chelsea open European campaign against debutants Austria Vienna
Chelsea begin their Women's Champions League campaign at home to Austria Vienna on 23 September 2026.
Kick-off at Plough Lane is 8pm BST, according to The Guardian. It is a home start for Chelsea in the league phase. Tickets remained on sale for the ground in the build-up.
Plough Lane is officially known as the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Chelsea's home for the tie. Chelsea FC named that stadium as the venue. The ground in south-west London is shared with AFC Wimbledon’s men’s team.
The format is simple to follow. Eighteen teams sit in one large table, the league phase, and each plays a set of fixtures rather than a traditional small group. This season’s phase runs until 16 December.
Austria Vienna are new to this stage. They fell at the final qualifying round last season, then made the competition proper this time. Inter are the other debutants in the league phase alongside the Austrian side.
Chelsea named a 3-5-2 to start, which means three central defenders, five across midfield and two strikers. Peng starts in goal behind Buchanan, Buurman and McCabe, according to The Guardian. Carpenter, Kaptein, Walsh, Nusken and Thompson fill the midfield five, with Malard and Baltimore up front.
Austria Vienna lined up with Pal in goal and Wenninger, Schiechtl and Kirchberger in defence. Schoffel, Potzl, Pfattner, Weiss and Hanshaw were named across midfield, with Uka and Pfanner in attack. Slovakia’s Miriama Bockova was appointed referee.
There is fresh interest in Chelsea’s front line. Melvine Malard joined Chelsea from Manchester United in the summer of 2026. Katie McCabe, named in the home defence, warmed up ahead of kick-off at Plough Lane.
Chelsea do not wait long for the next test. They travel to OL Lyonnes on 30 September, with that away fixture also scheduled for 8pm. Barcelona entered this season as defending champions and opened against Paris FC.
For supporters, the appeal is simple. One team knows this stage well and wants a fast start. The other arrives with a first-night story and nothing to lose.
