Where to Watch UEFA Women's Champions League Knockout Phase Draw: Nadine Kessler Hosts World Feed on 18 December
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Where to Watch UEFA Women's Champions League Knockout Phase Draw: Nadine Kessler Hosts World Feed on 18 December
The UEFA Women's Champions League knockout phase draw on 18 December 2025 at 12:00 UK time is a pivotal moment, determining matchups from play-offs to the final in Oslo. While UK viewers can access it via Disney+ UK & Ireland using the world feed hosted by Nadine Kessler with pundit Maren Mjelde, global audiences have multiple options including beIN Sports channels across Asia and CBS Sports Golazo in the US[1][2]. This event sets the stage for thrilling ties involving powerhouses like Barcelona, Chelsea and Lyon.
British fans eager for the draw will find Disney+ UK & Ireland as the go-to platform, streaming the world feed directly. Nadine Kessler, a former Germany international with over 100 caps and a UEFA Champions League winner with 1. FFC Frankfurt in 2012, brings authoritative insight as UEFA's Director of Women's Football Strategy since 2019. Joined by Maren Mjelde, the Norwegian captain of Chelsea Women with a storied career including multiple Women's Super League titles, the coverage promises expert analysis on seeded teams like Arsenal and unseeded challengers such as OH Leuven[1][3].
The draw, held at 13:00 CET in Nyon, Switzerland, involves the top 12 league phase finishers. Seeded quarter-finalists Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea and Bayern München bypass play-offs, while positions 5-12 – Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Wolfsburg, Paris FC, Atlético de Madrid and OH Leuven – battle in two-legged play-offs starting 11/12 February 2026[1][2][3]. UK audiences without Disney+ can turn to UEFA.TV online, also featuring the world feed commentators for free in select regions.
Across Asia, beIN Sports networks dominate coverage. beIN Sports Hong Kong 3, beIN Sports Indonesia 3 HD, beIN Sports Malaysia 3 HD, beIN Sports Philippines 3 HD, beIN Sports Singapore 3 and beIN Sports Thailand 3 HD all utilise the world feed with Nadine Kessler presenting alongside Maren Mjelde. These channels have built a reputation for comprehensive football coverage, making the draw accessible to millions in the region[1].
In the United States, CBS Sports Golazo Network and Paramount+ offer dedicated presentations led by Hannah Cash, a rising star in sports broadcasting known for her work on CBS's women's football slate. She's joined by pundits Ali Riley, New Zealand's most-capped player and a defender for Angel City FC with over 150 international appearances; Darian Jenkins, the ex-US youth international and Seattle Reign forward turned analyst; and Jen Beattie, the Scottish powerhouse who played for Arsenal, Manchester City and LA Galaxy, amassing a wealth of experience across Europe and the NWSL. Their studio analysis will dissect potential quarter-final clashes like Chelsea vs Bayern[1][7].
Disney+ extends its global reach for the draw, covering Disney+ Africa, Disney+ Australia, Disney+ Brazil, Disney+ Caribbean, Disney+ Central America, Disney+ Dominican Republic, Disney+ Europe (euro/geo/R), Disney+ New Zealand and Disney+ South America, all using the world feed. This reflects Disney's growing investment in women's football, holding rights in numerous territories[1]. In India, FanCode streams it with world feed commentators, catering to the subcontinent's burgeoning fanbase.
Nadine Kessler's hosting role underscores her transition from player to executive. After retiring in 2016 following a stellar career that included the 2009 European Championship win with Germany, she joined UEFA, championing women's game growth. Her partnership with Maren Mjelde, who has 100+ caps for Norway and key goals in Chelsea's 2021 Champions League triumph, ensures balanced punditry on teams like Wolfsburg and Paris FC[3].
Hannah Cash's emergence at CBS and Paramount+ highlights the US push into women's football. With CBS securing NWSL and international rights, Cash's energetic style complements pundits like Ali Riley, whose leadership in New Zealand's Olympic campaigns adds global perspective. Darian Jenkins, post-retirement from a career featuring OL Reign and youth World Cups, offers tactical breakdowns, while Jen Beattie's globetrotting resume – including 122 Scotland caps and stints in four countries – provides unmatched depth on European sides like Juventus and Real Madrid[1].
The draw procedure pairs seeded (5-8) against unseeded (9-12) for play-offs: expect intrigue with Manchester United potentially facing Atlético de Madrid. Quarter-finals follow on 24/25 March and 1/2 April 2026, semi-finals in late April/May, culminating at Ullevaal Stadion on 23 May. Barcelona's dominance, Lyon's pedigree and Chelsea's English flair make this bracket unmissable[1][2][4].
For British viewers, Disney+ not only covers this draw but aligns with UEFA's push for visibility, absent major free-to-air like BBC or ITV here but primed for future matches. Historically, UK broadcasters like Sky Sports and TNT Sports have aired UWCL games, with Sky holding past rights; fans hope for similar for knockout stages[3].
UEFA.TV remains a free hub worldwide (geo/R), ideal for cord-cutters. The league phase's conclusion saw Barcelona, OL, Chelsea and Bayern clinch top-four spots on Matchday 6, with OH Leuven's debut heroics sealing play-offs[3].
Anticipation builds around English clubs: Arsenal and Manchester United enter as seeds, their form pivotal. Arsenal's Emma Hayes era post-Chelsea promises fireworks, while United rebuild under new management[5].
This draw transcends scheduling; it's a showcase for women's football's ascent. With presenters like Kessler and Cash, backed by legends like Mjelde, Riley, Jenkins and Beattie, viewers worldwide get premium insight. Whether on beIN in Bangkok, Paramount+ in New York or Disney+ in London, tune in at 12:00 UK time for history in the making.
Explore more on the UEFA Women's Champions League, delve into Nadine Kessler's career, or check Chelsea Women's journey ahead of potential deep runs.
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