The 2025-26 Champions League draw is out, and it’s a blockbuster! Reigning champions PSG face a tough road, while Liverpool and Man City are on a collision course with Real Madrid. Arsenal’s schedule? Let’s just say they’ll be racking up the air miles. Which clash are you most excited to see?
The highly anticipated draw for the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League league phase has concluded in Monaco, setting the stage for an electrifying season of European football. Fans across the globe are buzzing with excitement as the pairings promise a series of colossal encounters, featuring some of the continent’s most decorated clubs vying for supremacy in the prestigious Champions League competition.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will embark on their quest to retain the coveted trophy, having emphatically claimed victory against Inter Milan in a memorable 2025 final held in Munich. The French giants showcased dominant form last season, and their aspirations for back-to-back titles will be tested by an array of formidable adversaries as the new season unfolds.
Among the most eagerly awaited matchups, English powerhouses Liverpool and Manchester City have both been drawn against 15-time winners Real Madrid. These fixtures are set to deliver high-stakes drama and showcase top-tier talent, promising intense tactical battles and thrilling attacking football that will undoubtedly capture headlines in the early stages of the league phase.
Paris Saint-Germain’s path to potential glory includes heavyweight clashes against German giants Bayern Munich, Spanish stalwarts Barcelona, and English contenders Tottenham Hotspur. These three fixtures represent significant tests for the reigning champions, demanding peak performance and strategic brilliance to navigate their challenging schedule effectively and maintain their dominant status in European football.
Meanwhile, Arsenal faces a particularly challenging draw, with a highly anticipated reunion for Harry Kane as Bayern Munich visits north London. This fixture appears to be the Gunners’ toughest on paper, though their schedule also includes a demanding away trip to San Siro to face Inter Milan, adding another layer of complexity to their European campaign.
Arsenal’s formidable schedule extends further with a home fixture against Spanish heavyweights Atlético Madrid. Furthermore, the Gunners will undertake two challenging away trips to England as part of their league phase commitments, with a highly anticipated encounter against Liverpool looming, ensuring their supporters will be treated to a series of high-profile encounters.
The inaugural round of league phase matches is slated to kick off between September 16 and September 18, marking the official commencement of the 2025-26 season. Six of the eight crucial matchdays are scheduled to be played during the remainder of the current calendar year, setting a rapid pace for the initial stages of the competition.
The concluding matchday games for the league phase are all meticulously planned for January 28, 2026. This synchronized scheduling is a vital measure implemented to ensure absolute sporting fairness across the competition, preventing any team from gaining an unfair advantage from prior knowledge of other results heading into the decisive final round.
Toby Cudworth, the esteemed Lead Editor for Sports Illustrated FC, brings a wealth of expertise to the coverage of European football. As a Premier League, EFL, and UEFA accredited journalist, his insights are invaluable to understanding the intricacies of the sport, and he continues to share his passion, notably as a dedicated supporter of West Ham United.
