The draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase has been completed, mapping out the road to Budapest where the final will be staged at the Puskás Arena on May 30, 2026.
This will be the second season under the expanded 36-team format, with each side facing eight different opponents. The top eight teams qualify directly for the round of 16, those placed 9th to 24th enter play-offs, while teams finishing 25th or lower exit Europe entirely.
Holders Paris Saint-Germain, who stormed to their first Champions League crown last season with a record 5-0 win over Inter Milan, begin their title defence against the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham.
Bayern Munich, eager to reclaim Europe’s top prize, were drawn against Chelsea, Arsenal, Sporting CP and PSV, while Real Madrid face another heavyweight campaign with ties against Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus.
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The Premier League contingent also drew notable match-ups. Liverpool must tackle Real Madrid again, as well as Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Frankfurt, while Arsenal face Bayern, Inter and Atletico. Chelsea open at home to Barcelona before travelling to Munich, and will also meet Ajax and Napoli.
Manchester City, who stumbled in last year’s quarter-finals, take on Dortmund, Napoli, Villarreal and Monaco. Newcastle, in the competition for only the second time, were handed Barcelona and PSG, while Tottenham face PSG, Dortmund and Villarreal.
Elsewhere, Inter Milan’s route includes Liverpool, Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, while Borussia Dortmund line up against City, Juventus, Villarreal and Tottenham. For debutants Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan and Pafos of Cyprus, glamour ties against Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich will be the highlight of their season.
The league phase begins between September 16-18, with further rounds in late September, October, November, December and January. From there, the knockout path to Budapest begins in earnest as Europe’s heavyweights and underdogs alike chase the biggest prize in club football.
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