As the leaves change colour and the air becomes crisper, many people reach for their cardigans and pumpkin spice lattes. But for soccer fans, the fall season signals an even more exciting time – Champions League action.

On Tuesday, the 2024-25 UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) season kicks off, where 16 of Europe’s best soccer teams compete for the coveted trophy. This time around, the competition sees a combination of previous winners and excited newcomers hoping for their shot at glory.

But before a team can be crowned the queens of Europe in May, when the final takes place in Lisbon, they must get through the arduous group stage.

Read on to meet the competitors in each group, as well as the key matchups and storylines to watch.

QUICK HITS

• 16 teams from across Europe take part in the group stage.

• Group A: Lyon, Wolfsburg, Roma, Galatasaray

• Group B: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Twente, Celtic

• Group C: Bayern, Arsenal, Juventus, Valerenga

• Group D: Barcelona, Manchester City, St. Polten, Hammarby

• The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals, drawn on Feb. 7 and played in March.

• Barcelona holds the current title, while Arsenal, Lyon and Wolfsburg have previously lifted the trophy.

GROUP A

Lyon: The French champions are synonymous with the UWCL. Lyon has reached a whopping 11 finals, the most of any team, and has won a record eight titles. Last campaign, Lyon recorded its 15th quarterfinal appearance, tying Arsenal for the most berths at that stage of the tournament. Will it be able to add an extraordinary ninth trophy to its cabinet in May? Lyon will be one of the tournament favourites, headlined by Canada’s Vanessa Gilles on the backline.

Wolfsburg: Speaking of records, Wolfsburg reached an unprecedented 11 consecutive quarterfinals before last season’s shocking round two exit at the hands of Paris FC. This time around, skipper Alexandra Popp will do everything she can to help her side make up for lost time and return to its winning ways. If Wolfsburg is on its game, it should advance alongside Lyon.

Roma: Roma suffered heartbreak during the 2023-24 UWCL campaign, bowing out of the group stage after a mere five points separated the first and last-place teams. While this time around is no walk in the park, the Italian champions climbed the ranks over the years and will hope that Canadian goal-scoring machine Evelyne Viens can help Roma advance to the next round. While Roma likely knows it's a 50-50 shot at advancing, it won’t back down from the challenge.

Galatasaray: To put it simply, Galatasaray is the underdog. But the Turkish champions should not be counted out by any means. To reach the group stage, Galatasaray knocked out three-time quarterfinalists Slavia to become the first Turkish side in UWCL history to reach the group stage. Metin Ülgen’s squad has something to prove.

Key matchup: Lyon vs. Wolfsburg – Oct. 17 (Leg 1) and Dec. 17 (Leg 2)

Storyline to watch: It’s head-to-head for two Canadian powerhouses in Group A. Vanessa Gilles’ Lyon is hoping to return to the top of the podium, while Viens’ Roma will want to translate its success in Italy to the rest of Europe. While Gilles (defender) and Viens (striker) are friends in red and white and work together to score goals, it’ll be all business in the UWCL as foes. Gilles’ strength and technical ability, combined with Viens’ speed and awareness, will be a mouthwatering matchup. While Lyon should reign supreme and continue its winning ways, Roma’s ability to catch opponents off guard should not be underestimated. Lyon will need to be locked in the entire 90 minutes, because if not, Roma’s energy will catch the French side sleeping.

GROUP B

Chelsea: Former Lyon manager Sonia Bompastor took over for longstanding coach Emma Hayes this summer, and will hope to accomplish what the Englishwoman couldn’t – European glory. The UWCL isn’t new to Bompastor – she’s the only person to have won the competition as a player and as a coach (with Lyon). After bowing out in the semifinals last season, and finishing second in 2020-21, the English champions will have their sights set on finally adding this trophy to its cabinet.

Real Madrid: Real Madrid is entering its fourth UWCL campaign, having made at least the group stage in all four appearances. However, Madrid’s previous European best came in the 2020-21 campaign, where Alberto Toril’s side exited in the quarters. But at that time, Madrid didn’t have the wondrous duo of breakout youngster Linda Caicedo and World Cup winner Olga Carmona. Madrid’s creativity on the ball and prolific nature should be enough to make the next round.

Twente: Fourth time’s a charm for Twente. After a quartet of attempts, the Dutch champions finally qualified for the group stage, but have big shoes to fill. Its Netherlands counterpart Ajax were the first Dutch team to make the group stage last season, and shockingly advanced to the quarters. Can Joran Pot’s side at least match Ajax’s run? Considering the heavy hitters in Group B, it would be a tall order for Twente to top Chelsea and Real Madrid. But never say never, as last time around Ajax advanced while Bayern Munich and Roma did not.

Celtic: Celtic is not expected to get out of the group, but the team has already made history by being the first Scottish team to appear in this stage of the UWCL under the current format (Glasgow City made two quarterfinals under the old format). Manager Elena Sadiku, 30, is the youngest-ever UWCL coach, and while her squad is the lowest-ranked of all group-stage teams, they make up for it in grit and resilience.

Key matchup: Chelsea vs. Real Madrid – Oct. 8 (Leg 1) and Dec. 17 (Leg 2)

Storyline to watch: Canada and Chelsea defenders Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan have already had a hot start to the Women’s Super League (WSL), topping Aston Villa and routing Crystal Palace. But can they help Chelsea translate its English success to the rest of Europe? In the UWCL, Chelsea is the team that’s so close to the trophy, but yet, so far. And while Buchanan won a handful of UWCL’s with Lyon, the closest Lawrence got was runner-up with Paris Saint-Germain. On paper, Chelsea should win Group B, but the rest of the knockouts won’t be as easy. If Chelsea wants to finally become European champions, Lawrence and Buchanan must be at their best to help Chelsea's goals-against tally. That shouldn’t be a problem as the duo is widely regarded as some of the best centre- and full-backs in the women’s game, bolstered by their adaptability, technicality, maturity and pace. But, there's a lot of pressure on the Canadians’ shoulders that comes with being team leaders.

GROUP C

Bayern: It was heartbreak for the Frauen-Bundesliga giants during the 2023-24 UWCL season. After conceding a late goal to Paris Saint-Germain on the last day of the group stage, Bayern Munich was sent packing. But with seasoned names like Georgia Stanway and Pernille Harder on the team sheet, two attacking players known for their clutch abilities, things could go Bayern’s way this campaign. As reigning German champions, Bayern will be a name feared by most opponents.

Arsenal: For Arsenal, the UWCL is just another day at the office. The Gunners advanced to the quarterfinals in each of its last 15 appearances in the competition before 2023-24, where they shockingly lost to Paris FC in round one on penalties. But last season was an anomaly, and we have to remember that Arsenal took home the trophy in 2006-07. Arsenal’s all-or-nothing mentality, spearheaded by skipper Leah Williamson (who’s back in full force after tearing her ACL), should help the squad make the next round.

Juventus: Over the last year, Juventus has been in Roma’s shadow, so a breakout group stage is just what the Italians need. Albeit, Juve is up against tough opponents and it’ll have to play its best soccer. Last season, Massimiliano Canzi’s side didn’t make the group stage, while its best result came in 2021-22 where it advanced to the quarters. Truthfully, Juventus probably won’t beat Bayern and Arsenal, so it should rely on trying to score more and concede less in case placing comes down to goal differential.

Valerenga: It’s no secret the Norwegian champions got a tough draw. But Valerenga has already made it farther than ever before (its previous UWCL best came last season when they made round two). So, can the Oslo side replicate what Brann did last campaign, by becoming the second Norwegian outfit to make it out of the group stage? Honestly, Valerenga can only hope for the best, as it's up against quick, aggressive attackers and strong, confident defenders from all three group opponents.

Key matchup: Bayern vs. Arsenal – Oct. 9 (Leg 1) and Dec. 18 (Leg 2)

Storyline to watch: Group C is debatably the toughest of all four groups. While it’s not necessarily a “group of death,” there could certainly be some surprises. Two seasons ago, Juventus and Arsenal were drawn in the same group, resulting in an Arsenal win and a draw across both legs. However, Juventus is stronger this time around, and shockingly knocked out French heavyweights (and last season’s semifinalists) Paris Saint-Germain in qualifiers. From an English perspective, Arsenal is the WSL side that got an unfavourable draw, as to advance the Gunners need to beat Bayern and Juventus. Can they do it? Yes. Will that happen? Who knows, as soccer is unpredictable and anything can happen.

GROUP D

Barcelona: Barcelona is probably the tournament favourite – and for good reason. The reigning champions hope to become the second team (after Lyon) to win three trophies in a row, and no one doubts that probability. With Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, midfield maestro Keira Walsh, striking sensation Salma Paralluelo and seasoned veteran Alexia Putellas, it takes a lot to beat this well-oiled machine. With nine league championships and 10 cup trophies, Barcelona knows how to win and grind it out when it matters most.

Manchester City: Manchester City has returned to the UWCL group stage after losing to Real Madrid in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 qualifying rounds. Despite being rusty in this competition, the Blues made it all the way to the semifinals in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. The squad Gareth Taylor has is more than capable of mimicking that result, but will City’s lack of European exposure be a problem? That said, the English runner-up boasts its own plethora of talent, from Lioness star Chloe Kelly, WSL Golden Boot winner Bunny Shaw and Dutch star Jill Roord. If all goes to plan, City should advance to the quarters alongside Barcelona.

St. Polten: The Austrian champions made the final 16 for the fourth time in five seasons, but never got past the group stage. And with a draw alongside Barcelona and City, it’s 50-50 if St. Polten will better its record. Liese Brancao-Ribeiro’s squad will need to play compact, quick soccer with short, pacey passes to dance around opponents and score much-needed goals. St. Polten should use this group stage to prove it can compete with Europe’s best.

Hammarby: Hammarby is a competition debutant, but already made waves in the qualifiers by knocking out Benfica, a quarterfinalist last season, despite losing Leg 1 at home. This is noteworthy as no team has ever come back from a home deficit in a UWCL qualifier, so who’s to say Hammarby can’t make more history in the group stage? That could be wishful thinking, but the Swedish champions will be entering this round full of confidence and energy. Hammarby has nothing to lose, so it should take advantage of the lack of pressure and play free-flowing soccer.

Key matchup: Barcelona vs. Man City – Oct. 8 (Leg 1) and Dec. 18 (Leg 2)

Storyline to watch: In Group D, Barcelona is expected to advance while St. Polten and Hammarby are dark horses. This puts Manchester City in a precarious place. The Blues should advance, but how City plays in the group stage sets the tone for the rest of the competition. All eyes are on the WSL side, especially because it hasn’t been in the UWCL in years. If City fails to produce either in this round or beyond, it’ll be considered a failure for a club that's spent time and resources getting back to Europe. For the Austrian and Swedish teams, it doesn’t matter if they lose group games, because fans aren’t expecting anything stellar. But City is expected to push Barcelona to the brink. Can Taylor’s squad deliver, or will it crumble under the pressure?

2024-25 UEFA Women's Champions League Preview: Meet the group-stage teams

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