Chelsea have been drawn against Real Sociedad in the third qualifying round of the Women’s Champions League, with a place in the competition’s league phase at stake.
The Blues will host the opening leg on 26 August, before travelling to Spain for the decisive second match on 2 September.
Chelsea finished third in the Women’s Super League last season. As a result, the eight-time English champions must overcome Sociedad across the two legs to secure their place in the league phase.
Real Sociedad also ended their domestic campaign in third place, finishing 21 points behind Liga F champions Barcelona.
Chelsea were among the seeded teams for Tuesday’s draw, which was held at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. The London club will be aiming to return to the latter stages of the competition after previously reaching the Champions League final in 2021, when they were beaten by Barcelona.
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Other Women’s Champions League Qualifying Ties
Chelsea’s meeting with Sociedad is one of five notable match-ups in the third qualifying round.
Paris St-Germain have been paired with Eintracht Frankfurt, while Real Madrid will face Ajax.
Two-time European champions Wolfsburg will take on Inter Milan, and Juventus have been drawn against Austrian club St Polten.
The winners of each tie will advance to the league phase of the Women’s Champions League.
Manchester City and Arsenal Already Qualified
Chelsea are the only one of the leading English clubs who must navigate qualifying.
WSL champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal have already secured places in the league phase, while defending European champions Barcelona have also qualified automatically.
Chelsea will therefore have two crucial fixtures against Real Sociedad to secure their place alongside their domestic rivals and continue their pursuit of European success.