The countdown to another thrilling season of the UEFA Champions League has officially begun, with the full match calendar for the league phase now released. For the first time in the competition’s history, six Premier League sides will compete in the expanded format, offering English fans a packed schedule of must-watch clashes across Europe. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and reigning champions Manchester City all discovered their league phase opponents during the midweek draw, with UEFA confirming the fixture list at the weekend.
Under the new system, every club plays eight games in the league stage—four at home and four away. The best eight sides will progress directly to the round of 16, while those finishing 9th to 24th will enter a playoff to decide who advances to the knockouts.
Key Dates for the League Phase
The action kicks off in mid-September and runs until late January 2026, with fans able to mark their calendars for eight exciting matchweeks.
- Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
- Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
- Matchday 3: 21–22 October 2025
- Matchday 4: 4–5 November 2025
- Matchday 5: 25–26 November 2025
- Matchday 6: 9–10 December 2025
- Matchday 7: 20–21 January 2026
- Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
Most games will be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the opening round also stretches into Thursday. Notably, the final matchday will see all 18 fixtures kick off simultaneously on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, ensuring a dramatic finish to the league stage.
Highlights from Matchday 1
The opening week immediately serves up heavyweight encounters. Tottenham begin at home against Villarreal, while Newcastle face a glamorous tie with Barcelona at St. James’ Park. Manchester City host Napoli in what promises to be a tactical showdown, while Liverpool are paired with Atlético Madrid at Anfield—a rematch of past classics. Chelsea’s campaign starts with a daunting trip to Bayern Munich, and Arsenal head to Spain to face Athletic Club.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid open against Marseille, Juventus take on Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain meet Atalanta in Paris.
English Clubs’ Fixture Schedules
Manchester City begin at home to Napoli (18 September), before visiting Monaco on 1 October. Trips to Villarreal and Real Madrid highlight their away challenges, while home ties against Dortmund, Leverkusen, and Galatasaray add spice to their defence of the trophy.
Liverpool have a testing start, hosting Atlético on 17 September and travelling to Galatasaray two weeks later. Their campaign includes marquee fixtures against Real Madrid at Anfield (4 November) and Inter Milan away (9 December), before wrapping up at home against Qarabag.
Chelsea’s group of fixtures features blockbuster nights: Bayern Munich away first up (17 September), Barcelona visiting Stamford Bridge on 25 November, and Atalanta in Bergamo on 9 December. They close with a trip to Napoli on 28 January.
Arsenal will welcome Olympiacos (1 October) and Atlético (21 October) to the Emirates, alongside a high-profile showdown against Bayern Munich on 26 November. Trips to Inter Milan and Brugge complete a balanced yet testing run.
Tottenham Hotspur start strong at home against Villarreal before facing Monaco away in October. Spurs will travel to Paris for a clash with PSG on 26 November, while a crucial home game against Dortmund (20 January) could decide their knockout fate.
Newcastle United face perhaps the most daunting set of fixtures. Barcelona visit Tyneside on 18 September, while trips to Marseille (25 November) and PSG (28 January) stand out. They also host Benfica and PSV Eindhoven in front of their home crowd, ensuring unforgettable European nights at St. James’ Park.
Notable Fixtures Across the Calendar
The league phase offers a feast of matchups between European giants. On 30 September, Chelsea host Benfica while Barcelona clash with PSG, two games guaranteed to draw global attention. October brings Real Madrid vs Juventus (22nd) and Chelsea vs Ajax (also on the 22nd).
In November, the spotlight falls on Liverpool vs Real Madrid (4th), PSG vs Bayern Munich (also on the 4th), and Chelsea vs Barcelona (25th). Arsenal’s home clash against Bayern on 26 November will be another headline encounter.
December ramps up the tension with Inter vs Liverpool (9th), Barcelona vs Frankfurt (same day), and Real Madrid vs Manchester City (10th). These ties could determine who finishes in the all-important top eight.
The final day on 28 January is loaded with drama: Napoli host Chelsea, PSG meet Newcastle, Arsenal face Kairat Almaty at the Emirates, and Liverpool close against Qarabag. Simultaneously, Benfica take on Real Madrid, Barcelona face Copenhagen, and Bayern clash with PSV in a potentially decisive set of matches.
Knockout Phase Timeline
Once the league phase concludes, attention shifts to the knockouts.
- Playoffs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
- Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
- Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
- Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
- Final: 30 May 2026, in Budapest
The Hungarian capital will host the showpiece final at the end of May, where Europe’s elite will battle for the most prestigious trophy in club football.
What It Means for the Premier League Six
This season is historic, with six English representatives competing under the new structure. The congested fixture calendar poses challenges, but it also raises the possibility of multiple Premier League clubs advancing deep into the tournament.
Manchester City, the holders, will look to cement their dominance, with Pep Guardiola targeting another strong run.
Liverpool, rejuvenated under Arne Slot, aim to reclaim European glory after recent disappointments.
Chelsea face a tough pathway but could thrive under their revamped squad.
Arsenal’s youthful side will be tested against experienced European opposition.
Tottenham return with ambition, hoping to avoid the inconsistency that has plagued past campaigns.
Newcastle United, making back-to-back appearances, will be under pressure but relish the challenge of facing Europe’s best.
Sources
