2021/22 Continental Cup format change | OneFootball

The draw for the Continental Cup takes place on Friday - but the 2021/22 tournament brings a change in format.

The group stage draw will unfold live on talkSPORT 2 at 13:15 UK time on 30 July but City will not be involved.

As one of three English teams to be competing in the UEFA Women's Champions League, Gareth Taylor's side will enter the competition in the quarter-final stage unless eliminated from the European qualifying rounds.

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Should that occur, City would then be drawn into an existing Conti Cup group of four clubs in the appropriate geographical grouping in accordance with Cup Rule 15.3.

City have won the Conti Cup on three occasions - in 2014, 2016 and 2019. The trophy was the first Nick Cushing's side won as a professional outfit in our debut season in the top flight.

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Friday’s draw will feature 21 clubs, with nine going into the two groups in the Northern section, and 12 going into three groups in the Southern.

In the Northern section, the first five numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group A. The remaining and last four numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group B.

In the Southern section, the first four numbers out of the bag will be placed in Group C. The next four numbers drawn out of the bag will be placed in Group D. The remaining and final four numbers drawn out of the bag will be placed in Group E.

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The first place team in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals. If City and/or Arsenal enter the group stage, the best runner-up/two best runners-up will progress with the five group winners.

The group stages will run from 13-14 October through to 15-16 December, with the quarter-finals scheduled for 19-20 January, the semi-finals 2-3 February, and the Final on the weekend of 5-6 March.

Ball numbers (Northern section)

1. Durham

2. Liverpool

3. Blackburn Rovers

4. Sheffield United

5. Manchester United

6. Everton

7. Sunderland

8. Leicester City

9. Aston Villa

Ball numbers (Southern section)

1. Coventry United

2. Crystal Palace

3. London City Lionesses

4. Watford

5. Charlton Athletic

6. Brighton & Hove Albion

7. West Ham United

8. Bristol City

9. Birmingham City

10. Reading

11. Tottenham Hotspur

12. Lewes