Arsenal and Chelsea are poised to meet in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, March 24, at Arsenal Stadium. This marks the first time in UEFA women’s club competition history that two teams from the same city will face off at this stage.
Arsenal vs. Chelsea Details
When: Tuesday, March 24 (9:00 PM CET)
Where: Arsenal Stadium, London
What: First leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinals
How to Follow: Live coverage here
Second Leg: Wednesday, April 1 (9:00 PM CET), Stamford Bridge, London
Arsenal boasts a record-tying 17th appearance in the quarterfinals, defending their title in the process. Chelsea, seeking their first Women’s Champions League trophy, will be competing in their seventh quarterfinal, having successfully navigated the previous six. The Blues received a bye to the quarterfinals after finishing third in the league stage, tied with Barcelona for first place on both goal difference (20 goals for, 3 against).
Arsenal, finishing fifth, had to overcome OH Leuven in a playoff round, winning 7-1 on aggregate. Alessia Russo was instrumental in that victory, scoring three goals and solidifying her position as the competition’s leading scorer with seven goals. Earlier this season in the Women’s Super League, Arsenal and Chelsea played to a 1-1 draw at Arsenal Stadium on November 8, with Arsenal securing a 2-0 victory at Chelsea on January 24.
Chelsea enters the match fresh off a 1-1 draw against London City Lionesses on March 21, and having recently retained the English Women’s League Cup on March 15. The match saw Kadeisha Buchanan make her first start since 2024, though Nathalie Björn was forced to leave the game shortly after returning from injury. Meanwhile, Arsenal players Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Caitlin Foord, along with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter, recently participated with Australia in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup final, where they suffered a 1-0 loss to Japan in Sydney.
The stakes are high as both London clubs vie for a spot in the Women’s Champions League semifinals. For Arsenal, a strong showing in Europe is crucial to maintaining their status as one of the continent’s elite teams. Chelsea, still searching for their first Champions League title, will be eager to prove their mettle against their city rivals.
Form Guide
Arsenal
Last Six Matches: VVVVVV
Last Match: Arsenal 5-0 West Ham United, March 21, Women’s Super League
League Position: 4th in the Women’s Super League, Quarterfinalists in the FA Women’s Cup
Chelsea
Last Six Matches: EVVVVV
Last Match: London City Lionesses 1-1 Chelsea, March 21, Women’s Super League
League Position: 3rd in the Women’s Super League, Quarterfinalists in the FA Women’s Cup, English League Cup Champions
The second leg will be played on Wednesday, April 1, at Stamford Bridge, setting the stage for a compelling two-legged affair. The winner will advance to the semifinals, continuing their pursuit of European glory.
Where will the 2026 UEFA Women’s Champions League final be held?
Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, Norway, will host the 2026 UEFA Women’s Champions League final on Saturday, May 23. This will be the first time Norway has hosted a UEFA women’s club competition final, though Ullevaal Stadium previously hosted the UEFA Women’s EURO final in both 1987 and 1997. It is the regular home stadium for both the Norwegian men’s and women’s national teams. The stadium also hosted the 2016 UEFA Super Cup in Trondheim.
The first leg at Arsenal Stadium promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to gain an advantage heading into the return fixture. Fans can follow all the action live on UEFA platforms.
What are your predictions for this London derby? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
