UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw: Full Fixtures, Key Dates and Must Watch Matches

Paris Saint-Germain’s defence of their Champions League title will begin as the UEFA Champions League group stage is set to commence. The UEFA Champions League is Europe’s most esteemed competition, competed amongst only the best of the best. The Champions League draw took place on Thursday, and some exciting fixtures are lined up for football fans to feast their eyes upon.

The League Stage Format Explained

The clubs were split into four pots based on their individual coefficient ranking. They were then drawn against two teams from each pot, excluding teams from their own nation. So the likes of Liverpool cannot draw Tottenham Hotspur, as they are both from England. These individual coefficient rankings were based on the last five seasons’ performances in UEFA competitions.

In addition to the 8 teams drawn, each team will play four matches at home and four matches away. The 36 teams are then ranked on a combined league table based on the points they accumulate in their drawn fixtures. The points for every match are the same as every other footballing competition.

The top eight teams in the table progress automatically into the round of 16 in March. The other teams, placing ninth to 24th, will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.

When will the Champions League league-phase matches take place?

The league stage matches for the 2025-26 Champions League are set to commence from 16 September 2025. The league stage matches will continue up until 28 January 2026. The two-legged knockout-phase play-offs will conclude in February 2026.

Also read: PKL 2025: Full Squad List of All 12 Teams for Pro Kabaddi Season 12

When and where is the final?

• The final for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League will take place at the Puskas Arena in Hungary, Budapest on 30 May 2026.

Schedules For the Main Teams

Paris Saint-Germain: Bayern (H), Barcelona (A), Atalanta (H), Bayer Leverkusen (A), Tottenham (H), Sporting CP (A), Newcastle (H), Athletic Club (A)

Real Madrid: Man City (H), Liverpool (A), Juventus (H), Benfica (A), Marseille (H), Olympiacos (A), Monaco (H), Kairat Almaty (A)

Liverpool: Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), PSV (H), Marseille (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A)

Barcelona: PSG (H), Chelsea (A), Eintracht Frankfurt (H), Club Brugge (A), Olympiacos (H), Slavia Prague (A), Copenhagen (H), Newcastle (A)

Arsenal: Bayern (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Club Brugge (A), Olympiacos (H), Slavia Prague (A), Kairat (H), Athletic Club (A)

Manchester City: Borussia Dortmund (H), Real Madrid (A), Bayer Leverkusen (H), Villarreal (A), Napoli (H), Bodø/Glimt (A), Galatasaray (H), Monaco (A)

Tottenham Hotspur: Borussia Dortmund (H), PSG (A), Villarreal (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), Slavia Prague (H), Bodø/Glimt (A), Copenhagen (H), Monaco (A)

Bayern Munich: Chelsea (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting CP (H), PSV (A), Union SG (H), Pafos (A)

Must-Watch Matches in the League Phase

Barcelona vs. PSG

Most football fans wanted to witness this matchup as last season’s Champions League final. These two squads contain most of the favourites for the 2025 Ballon d’Or and will be brimming with attacking quality from start to finish. The game will also see the return of Luis Enrique and Ousmane Dembele to Catalonia.

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have dominated this fixture in the modern era, with Arsenal losing 10-2 on aggregate in this competition. Harry Kane will be itching to inflict pain on Arsenal yet again. However, Arteta has since rejuvenated the side, and they will look to stamp themselves among Europe’s elite.

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Anfield. The atmosphere in Merseyside will be hostile and fierce, given the history between the two clubs in this competition. Real Madrid have beaten Liverpool twice in recent finals in 2018 and 2022; however, Arne Slot has recorded a victory over the Spanish giants last season.

Written by: Thillai Ritvik

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