Monaco — The draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase has set the stage for blockbuster encounters, as Europe’s elite prepare for the second season under UEFA’s revamped format.
A New Era in Europe’s Top Competition
Abandoning the traditional group stage, the tournament now features a 36-team single-league format. Each club will play eight matches — four at home and four away — against different opponents. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter a playoff to secure their spot in the knockout stage.
Defending Champions PSG Face Brutal Path
Paris Saint-Germain, last season’s winners, face a daunting schedule. The French champions will meet Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Italian side Atalanta, ensuring a stern test from the very start.
Real Madrid Drawn Against English Giants
Record 15-time champions Real Madrid will also navigate a tough route. Los Blancos face Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as a clash with Juventus. Adding to the challenge, they must travel to Kazakhstan to meet competition newcomers Kairat Almaty.
Premier League Clubs With Mixed Fortunes
- Arsenal will face European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
- Manchester City — chasing back-to-back titles after their 2023 triumph — will meet Real Madrid and Napoli.
- Liverpool host Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but must also travel to Inter Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Tottenham Hotspur, winners of last season’s Europa League, are set for a Super Cup rematch with PSG and a tricky away tie against Norwegian debutants Bodø/Glimt.
Bayern’s Familiar Rivalries
Bayern Munich’s campaign brings echoes of recent finals: a rematch with Chelsea (2012 final) and a showdown with PSG (2020 final).
Tournament Timeline
The league phase kicks off September 16–18, 2025, with the road to the final culminating at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, 2026.
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