When the CEV announced the change to the format of the 2018-2019 Champions League back on May 25th, they were not the most liberal with giving out details as to exactly what the tournament would look like. The 18 teams in the groups stage were already locked into place, but there was still no exact answer as to which teams will be participating from the smaller leagues. The confederation also pushed back the drawing of lots a day to June 29th. They released the list of confirmed teams on June 28 and gave fans a better idea about what to expect come October.
The draw was announced for the first three rounds on Friday. The reorganization of the Champions League means there will be a 1st Round for the first time, though the unlike the men’s tournament, there will only be 4 teams in the 1st round. This is due to the fact there are only 27 teams participating in this year’s competition. No teams from Serbia or Azerbaijan will participate this year due to financial restraints.
There will be no teams from Italy, Russia, or Turkey in the rounds leading up the group stage. All three of their participants will move directly to the 4th Round. In the previous two seasons their top two teams qualified for the group stage, and their third representative had to play in the 3rd Round.
One of the changes made by the CEV was the formula used to determine how many teams each country could qualify. They decided to use the results from every team who competed in the Champions League from the same national federation from the past three seasons. With this change in the formula, France was allotted another team in the tournament. ASPTT Mulhouse will start the tournament in the 2nd Round, while RC Cannes and Beziers VB will begin play in the 4th Round.
Last year’s runner-up, CSM Volei Alba Blaj from Romania, did not earn any privileges from last year’s silver medal. They reached the semifinals by virtue of hosting the Final Four. After scoring a huge upset over Galatasaray SK Istanbul behind 22 points from Anna Cleger, they were swept by Vakifbank Istanbul in the finals. Regardless of their success last year, the CEV‘s formula gives Romania 2 teams in the Champions League. Since Blaj finished the Romanian league in 2nd place, they will have to star the tournament in the 2nd round.
First Round Schedule
| Matches | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Home Team | Away Team |
| 1-301 and 1-302 | Oct. 9 or 10 | Oct. 16 or 17 | UVC Holdring Graz – Austira |
Sliedricht Sport – Netherlands
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Second Round Schedule
| Matches | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Home Team | Away Team |
| 2-301 and 2-302 | Oct. 23 or 24 | Oct. 30 or 31 | VK UP Olomuoc – Czech Republic | CSM Volei Alba Blaj – Romania |
| 2-303 and 2-304 | Oct. 23 or 24 | Oct. 30 or 31 | Winner of 1-301/1-302 | Allianza MTV Stuttgart – Germany |
| 2-305 and 2-306 | Oct. 23 or 24 | Oct. 30 or 31 | ZOK Bimal-Jedinstvo Brcko – Bosnia | ASPTT Mulhouse VB – France |
| 2-307 and 2-308 | Oct. 23 or 24 | Oct. 30 or 31 | Bekescsabai Röplabda SE – Hungary | ŁKS Commercecon Łodz – Poland |
Third Round Schedule
| Matches | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg | Home Team | Away Team |
| 3-001 and 3-002 | Nov. 6 or 7 | Nov. 13 | Winner of 2-301/2-302 | Winner of 2-303/1-304 |
| 3-003 and 3-004 | Nov. 6 or 7 | Nov. 13 | Winner of 1-307/1-308 | Winner of 2-305/1-306 |
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