LEAGUE CUP DRAW: Manchester City handed tricky tests in group stage | OneFootball

Last season’s Subway® Women’s League Cup runners-up Manchester City have been handed some tricky tests in this season’s group stage.

The 2025/2026 Subway® Women’s League Cup group stage draw was conducted live on BBC Radio 5Live Breakfast this morning with former England international Toni Duggan pulling the balls out of the hat.

Last season’s runners-up Manchester City have been drawn in Group A. The Cityzens have some challenging opponents in the form of Everton and big-spending second tier sides Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.

The other eye-catching group is Group E where Aston Villa will face Second City neighbours Birmingham City. Tottenham Hotspur and Bristol City also feature in the group.

Group B contains Sheffield United, Sunderland, Liverpool and Durham while Group C sees Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth go into battle. Finally, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and London City Lionesses make up Group D.

In a move which mirrors what happened in the competition in 2024/2025, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been given byes to the quarter-finals which are expected to take place in early 2026. It should be noted that if Manchester United do not qualify for the UEFA Women’s Europa League as a minimum requirement, they will enter the Subway® Women’s League Cup at the group stage. A further draw would be conducted to determine their group placing.

Full fixture dates and ticket details for all of the group stage matches will be revealed in due course.

Chelsea are the current Subway® Women’s League Cup holders after they defeated Manchester City 2-1 in last season’s final at Derby County FC’s Pride Park Stadium.

2025/2026 Subway® Women’s League Cup Group Stage Draw

Group A

Nottingham Forest

Everton

Manchester City

Newcastle United

Group B

Sheffield United

Sunderland

Liverpool

Durham

Group C

Southampton

Brighton & Hove Albion

West Ham United

Charlton Athletic

Portsmouth

Group D

Crystal Palace

Leicester City

Ipswich Town

London City Lionesses

Group E

Aston Villa

Birmingham City

Tottenham Hotspur

Bristol City