Chelsea draw Real Sociedad in WCL qualifying round

Chelsea will face Real Sociedad in the third qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League, with a place in the competition’s main league phase and substantial financial rewards at stake.

Chelsea handed Real Sociedad test

The Women’s Super League side enter the qualifying stage after finishing third in the WSL last season, their lowest league placing since 2019. That outcome has left Chelsea needing to come through a two-legged tie rather than taking a direct place in the league phase.

They are expected to be favourites against Real Sociedad, who finished third in Spain’s top division behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Spanish club, based in San Sebastián, now stand between Chelsea and a return to the main stage of European competition.

Chelsea were drawn from the league path, which is reserved for domestic runners-up and third-placed teams. The draw structure meant they could not face some of the biggest names in the competition at this stage because of seedings.

Schedule set for two-legged qualifier

Chelsea will play the first leg at home on 26 August, before travelling to Spain for the return match on 2 September. The timing adds another layer of significance, with the second leg coming only three days before Chelsea begin their WSL campaign at home to Aston Villa on 5 September.

Sonia Bompastor’s side will aim to join Arsenal and Manchester City in the league phase. Chelsea have built a strong record in Europe in recent seasons, reaching the semi-finals in three of the past four campaigns. Last term, however, their run ended in the quarter-finals against Arsenal.

Why qualification matters on and off the pitch

The sporting importance of the tie is obvious, but the financial consequences are also considerable. Every club that reaches the 18-team league phase is guaranteed at least €505,000.

On top of that base figure, clubs can earn €60,000 for each league phase win and €20,000 for each draw. Further prize money is available depending on final league position, ranging from €10,000 to €180,000 and increasing by €10,000 per place.

There is also major money available later in the tournament. The eventual champions would collect €1,050,000 across the knockout phase, including €500,000 for winning the final.

Other ties in the league path

Chelsea were one of several notable clubs involved in the league-path draw. The pairings are:

• Eintracht Frankfurt v Paris Saint-Germain
• St Polten v Juventus
• Wolfsburg v Inter
• Chelsea v Real Sociedad
• Ajax v Real Madrid

Chelsea could also have been drawn against Ajax, Inter, Eintracht Frankfurt or St Polten. Instead, they now face a Spanish side that earned its place through another third-placed domestic finish, setting up a tie with clear consequences for Chelsea’s European ambitions and their season as a whole.