The Women’s Champions Cup will run annually, except in years involving the Women’s Club World Cup – another new Fifa competition that will take place every four years and be held for the first time in 2028.
Should Arsenal be successful in Sunday’s final, they will earn £1.7m in prize money – the biggest amount in club football, surpassing the figures awarded to teams which competed in the World Sevens tournaments in 2025.
The teams which bowed out of the Champions Cup in the first round still earned £73,500, while Sunday’s runners-up get £735,000.
That prize money makes it an attractive competition, as well as the opportunity for clubs from different continents to face each other.
Among the stars involved in Wednesday’s opening game were the Gotham trio of England defender Jess Carter, Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger and USA midfielder Rose Lavelle, and Corinthians goalscorer Gabi Zanotti.
“It’s another chance to win a trophy and it’s great for other clubs to be introduced to the English game as women’s football is so big over here,” Arsenal season ticket holder Alana Poole told BBC Sport.
London-based Corinthians fans stole the show in their 1-0 win over Gotham, providing a carnival atmosphere and celebrating enthusiastically when they scored in the 83rd minute, shocking the American champions.
AS FAR Rabat fans whistled and jeered as Arsenal’s players had possession but quietened as the European champions extended their lead.
Overall it was a strong atmosphere from the 8,066 in attendance and the competition was enjoyable.
England manager Sarina Wiegman was in attendance alongside former USA boss and current chief football officer at Fifa, Jill Ellis.
Arsenal’s aim at the start of the season was to win the WSL title and compete in the Champions League, but many fans are also keen for success in this competition.
“It’s the first one so I think it would be really important to win it,” Olivia Polend, a season ticket holder, told BBC Sport.
“It’s a big lift up for the women’s game and for Arsenal to get more exposure and experience. It’s really important.”