The most prominent club competition in Europe, the UEFA Champions League, is returning for the 2025–2026 season and is expected to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. Football fans are anticipating an incredible campaign, debutants from all over the continent, and heavyweight bouts already scheduled.
The 2025/26 season officially ushers in UEFA’s restructured league phase format, replacing the traditional group stage. Instead of the usual eight groups of four, this season features 36 teams in a single league table. Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents four at home and four away ensuring greater variety and a wider spread of big clashes.
This new system means that the competition will showcase high-profile encounters from the very start. Gone are the days of predictable group matches; now, every round of fixtures carries real weight in shaping qualification for the knockout stages.
We have new four clubs Debutant, Bodø/Glimt (Norway), Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan), Pafos FC (Cyprus), and Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium) all make their first-ever appearances in the Champions League league phase.
Kairat Almaty becomes the easternmost team ever to reach the competition proper, while Bodø/Glimt are the most northern club in Champions League history.
Some clubs also missed out, Notably the first time in two decades, no Ukrainian team has made it into the Champions League league phase, highlighting the changing dynamics of European football.
Matchday 1 Fixtures
The opening round of fixtures (16–18 September 2025) is set to capture the imagination of fans worldwide. From traditional powerhouses clashing to debutants making history, here’s what to watch for:
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
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Athletic Club vs Arsenal (18:45 CET): The Gunners face a tricky away trip to Bilbao, with San Mamés promising a fiery atmosphere.
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PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise (18:45 CET): A chance for debutants Union SG to announce themselves on the European stage.
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Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund (21:00 CET): A classic battle between Italian defensive steel and German attacking flair.
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Real Madrid vs Marseille (21:00 CET): The 14-time champions host French giants OM in what could be a thrilling, end-to-end contest.
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Benfica vs Qarabağ (21:00 CET): Portuguese experience up against Azerbaijani resilience.
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Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal (21:00 CET): A battle of tactical masterminds, with Spurs eager to start strong under Ange Postecoglou.
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
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Olympiacos vs Pafos (18:45 CET): The Cypriot debutants face an early Greek challenge in Piraeus.
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Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt (18:45 CET): Another debut story unfolds, with the Norwegian club aiming to shock Czech opponents.
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Ajax vs Inter Milan (21:00 CET): A classic meeting of attacking philosophies, with history and pedigree on both sides.
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Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (21:00 CET): A heavyweight showdown; the Bavarians and the Blues rarely disappoint when they collide.
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Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid (21:00 CET): Expect fireworks and intensity at Anfield, where Slot and Simeone renew their rivalry.
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta (21:00 CET): Two attack-minded teams promising goals and entertainment.
Thursday, 18 September 2025
- Club Brugge vs Monaco (17:45)
- Copenhagen vs Levekusen (17:45)
- Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty (20:00)
- Man City vs Napoli (20:00)
- Frankfurt vs Galatasaray (20:00)
- Newcastle vs Barcelona (20:00)
Clash of giants fixtures like Bayern vs Chelsea and Liverpool vs Atlético already feel like knockout ties, adding extra weight to the first week to the start of UCL..
Key Dates in the 2025/26 UCL Season
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League Phase Start: 16 September 2025
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League Phase End: 29 January 2026
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Knockout Play-offs: 17–25 February 2026
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Round of 16: 10–18 March 2026
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Quarter-Finals: 7–15 April 2026
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Semi-Finals: 28 April – 6 May 2026
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Final: 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League is not just another season; it is the dawn of a new era. With a more competitive format, a broader spread of teams, and historic milestones already in place, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable and thrilling campaigns in recent memory.
As Europe’s giants clash and debutants dream, one question looms large: who will lift the trophy in Budapest next May?
