The UEFA Champions League is considered the pinnacle of club soccer and the draw for the league phase of the 2025/26 competition has shown why, with a number of mouthwatering fixtures to be played between Europe’s biggest names in the next few months.
UCL format change throws up blockbuster matchups
That, of course, was one of the main objectives of the expansion of the Champions League and the adoption of the 36-team Swiss model.
Under the previous format, the top-ranked teams in Pot 1 would avoid each other until the knockout stages. Now, though, each Pot 1 team plays against two-similarly ranked opponents, giving us a series of matchups between the strongest sides in the tournament.
This year, Real Madrid will take on Liverpool at home and Manchester City and Juventus on the road, while Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain and visit Chelsea in what are arguably the standout games.
PSG, meanwhile, welcome Bayern Munich to the French capital. The Bavarians also face Chelsea in Germany, while Liverpool have been drawn to take on Inter and Atlético as well as Real Madrid.
Mouthwatering games in 2025/26 Champions League league phase
PSG vs Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs PSG
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Inter vs Liverpool
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
Inter vs Arsenal
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid vs Inter
Real Madrid vs Juventus
When will the games be played?
At present, we do not yet know exactly when the league phase fixtures will be played. The full calendar for the opening round of the tournament will be released on Saturday, August 30.