The long-awaited UEFA Champions League 2025-26 is finally here.
The group stage of Europe’s most prestigious competition will officially kick off next Tuesday, marking the start of another thrilling season filled with high-profile clashes, surprises, and unforgettable nights of football.
Last season, Paris Saint-Germain etched their name into history, lifting the trophy for the very first time after a stunning 5-0 victory against Inter Milan in the final.
For the 2025/26 edition, UEFA continues with the new 36-team format, where each club plays eight different opponents.
Read also: Arsenal fixture schedule for the 2025/26 Champions League
The top eight teams will qualify directly for the round of 16, while those finishing between 9th and 24th place will compete in a playoff for the remaining spots.
This revamped system promises more drama, more matches, and an even greater challenge for Europe’s elite clubs.
UEFA Champions League: Matchday 1 Fixtures – Tuesday Games
The opening round kicks off on Tuesday, September 16, with heavyweight clashes already set to capture global attention.
Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Juventus are among the giants taking the field on the very first night of action.
Tuesday, September 16
- 16:45: Athletic Bilbao × Arsenal
- 16:45: PSV Eindhoven × Union Saint-Gilloise
- 19:00: Real Madrid × Marseille
- 19:00: Juventus × Borussia Dortmund
- 19:00: Benfica × Qarabağ
- 19:00: Tottenham × Villarreal
Wednesday, September 17
- 16:45: Olympiakos × Pafos
- 16:45: Slavia Prague × Budućnost
- 19:00: Paris Saint-Germain × Atalanta
- 19:00: Ajax × Inter Milan
- 19:00: Bayern Munich × Chelsea
- 19:00: Liverpool × Atlético Madrid
Thursday, September 18
- 16:45: Club Brugge × Monaco
- 16:45: Copenhagen × Bayer Leverkusen
- 19:00: Eintracht Frankfurt × Galatasaray
- 19:00: Sporting Lisbon × Kairat Almaty
- 19:00: Manchester City × Napoli
- 19:00: Newcastle United × Barcelona
Don’t miss: Barcelona fixture schedule for the 2025/26 Champions League
Group Stage Matchday Dates
- Matchday 1: September 16-18
- Matchday 2: September 30 – October 1
- Matchday 3: October 21-22
- Matchday 4: November 4-5
- Matchday 5: November 25-26
- Matchday 6: December 9-10
- Matchday 7: January 20-21, 2026
- Matchday 8: January 28, 2026
