The 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League will end in dramatic fashion on Wednesday, with all 18 teams competing in nine matches at once to determine the final standings. The league's first-ever championship round brought plenty of drama and marked the start of a new era with excitement for future iterations. Only 10 teams have secured a place in the next rounds, but options still exist. Round six promises plenty of high stakes, with four direct quarter-final berths and two playoff berths yet to be determined.
Champions League giants Lyon and Barcelona are among the 10 teams to secure a place in the next round, along with current title holders Arsenal. Now it's about the final positioning and any benefits that come with it. Two places remain up for grabs, currently occupied by Atlético Madrid and Ohio Leven:
Here's how to watch the final game day and what you need to know:
6th round schedule
Wednesday, December 17
All times Eastern
Juventus – Real Madrid, 15:00. Paramount+
PSG – Benfica, 15:00. Paramount+ And CBS Sports Network
Roma – St. Pölten, 15:00 Paramount+
Bayern – Valerenga, 15:00 Paramount+
Twente – Real Madrid, 15:00. Paramount+
OH Leuven – Arsenal, 15:00 Paramount+
Paris – Barcelona, ​​15:00 Paramount+
Lyon – Atletico Madrid, 15:00. on Paramount+
Wolfsburg – Chelsea, 15:00 Paramount+
Tournament table
The top four finishers advance to the quarterfinals, while places 5 to 12 advance to the playoffs.
1. Barcelona, ​​13 points (+15 GD)
2. Lyon, 13 points (+9 GD)
3. Chelsea, 11 points (+16 GD)
4. Juventus, 10 points (+6 GD)
5. Real Madrid, 10 points, (+6 GD)
6. Bayern Munich, 10 points, (-2 GD)
7. Wolfsburg, 9 points (+4 GD)
8. Arsenal, 9 points (+2 GD)
9. Manchester United, 9 points (-3 GD)
10. Paris, 8 points (-1 GD)
11. Atletico Madrid, 7 points, (+8 GD)
12. OH ​​Leuven, 6 points (-2 GD)
13. Valerenga, 4 points (-2 GD)
14. Twente, 2 points (-6 GD)
15. Benfica, 1 point (-7 GD)
16. PSG, 1 point (-8 GD)
17. Roma, 1 point (-15 GD)
18. St. Pölten, 1 point (-20 GD)
Who will make it to the top four?
Wednesday's most coveted prize will be finishing in the top four. A direct bye to the quarter-finals completely ignores the play-off phase and if you are a Champions League contender, this is the most coveted place at the moment. None of the quarter-final spots have been reserved, raising the stakes for the end of the league stage.
Barcelona are at the top of the league table, with Lyon just behind them in second place. Both have the same total points, goal difference is the separator between them, and each is in the best position to reach the quarter-finals.
Apart from the top two teams, the remaining two places in the quarter-finals will be decided by several clubs. Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Arsenal have a chance to reach the quarter-final round.
Scenarios that require victory
Further down the table means the struggle for survival. The 11th and 12th place teams will have the honor of advancing to the playoffs. There are three teams facing potential must-win scenarios on the final matchday, and perhaps with the right combination of luck and results elsewhere, a few teams could make some Champions League memories.
Atlético Madrid are 11th in the table and in the most comfortable position heading into matchday six, but face the toughest task if they want to qualify for the knockout rounds. They face Lyon, the best Champions League winning team of all time, and could make history if they achieve the impossible. One point may be enough to secure a spot in the next round, but a loss opens the door for others.
Debutants OH Leuven are in 12th place, and the Belgians are outsiders of the tournament. They will also face a tough test against reigning title holders Arsenal. Valerenga are in 13th place and the Norwegians are clinging to hope heading into Bayern Munich and need more results to get there.
What's next?
Once the table is complete and all 12 teams are represented, a playoff draw will be held to determine the next chapter of the tournament. The draw will take place on Thursday 18 December in preparation for the end of the calendar year.
The play-off phase of the 2025–26 season begins in February (11–12, 18–19), with the quarter-finals in March (24–25) and April (1–2). After the semi-finals in late April and early May, the final two teams will compete for the main title in Oslo, Norway on May 23, 2026 at Ullevaal Stadium.
