FIFA Confirms London as Host City for New Women’s Intercontinental Club Competition.

Roger Hampel

Image: FIFA

FIFA has confirmed that Arsenal Stadium and Brentford Stadium will host the decisive phase of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, with semi-finals, third-place play-off and final scheduled in London from 28 January to 1 February 2026. The event marks the first edition of a newly created intercontinental competition that brings together reigning women’s club champions from multiple confederations.

The tournament has been approved by the FIFA Council as a competition to be played in years without a Women’s Club World Cup, forming part of FIFA’s broader strategy to increase international women’s club competition and expand global pathways for elite players.

London Chosen as Host for the Tournament’s Final Stage

The final stage will take place across two Premier League venues:

• Brentford Stadium – semi-finals on 28 January

• Arsenal Stadium – third-place match and final on 1 February

Both venues previously hosted major women’s football events and meet FIFA’s requirements for facilities, broadcast operations and matchday logistics. FIFA highlighted London’s existing infrastructure, established supporter base and strong commercial environment as factors in the decision to centralise the final round in the city.

Participating Teams and Qualification Structure FIFA

The competition will feature six continental champions. Three clubs have already secured qualification:

• Arsenal – UEFA Women’s Champions League holders

• Gotham FC – Concacaf champions

• Corinthians – CONMEBOL champions

The fourth team for the London stage will be determined in Round 2, played in Morocco on 14 December, where Wuhan Jiangda (China PR) face ASFAR (Morocco). The winner will join the semi-final lineup and meet Arsenal in the second semi-final.

The tournament format includes four matches:

• two semi-finals

• a third-place play-off

• the final to determine the first intercontinental women’s club champions

Strategic Importance for Women’s Club Football

The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup reflects an effort to expand the women’s club calendar with additional international competition. For participating clubs, the event offers:

• exposure to multi-confederation competition normally unavailable at club level

• increased commercial and media visibility

• access to a global broadcast platform

• additional match inventory for sponsors and rights holders

From an infrastructure perspective, centralising the event in London leverages two modern stadiums capable of delivering broadcast-ready operations and high matchday standards.

Club and Host Perspectives

Brentford chief executive Jon Varney emphasised the club’s previous involvement in major women’s events and noted that hosting the semi-finals aligns with Brentford’s community and development objectives. Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick highlighted the significance of staging the final at Arsenal Stadium, particularly following the club’s UEFA Women’s Champions League victory earlier in the year.