Odisha FC To Represent India In AFC Women’s Champions League

It’s official now! Odisha FC will represent India in the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25. Bhubaneswar-based Odisha FC has qualified for Asia’s premier women’s club football tournament by virtue of winning the title in the 7th edition of Indian Women’s League (IWL), the top tier for women’s football in India, at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on March 24, 2024.

The new format Women’s Champions League will feature 20 nations. There will be a preliminary round followed by group stage and knockout. Preliminary Stage is scheduled to be held from August 25 to 31, 2024. Group Stage will witness 12 clubs, divided into three groups of four each, engaging in 18 matches over three match days in a centralised league format from October 6 to 12, 2024.

The top two finishers in each group, together with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the Knockout Stage. Following a break, the action will resume with the Quarter-finals on 22 and 23 March 2025. Featuring single-leg knockout matches between the eight clubs from the Group Stage, a draw will be held to determine the four pairings.

Culminating in the Final Stage, comprising the Semi-finals and the Final, the 1st AFC Women’s Champions League season will unfold at a central venue over single legs from May 21 to 24, 2025.