UEFA Confirms 2025/26 Champions League Dates and Kick-Off Times

UEFA Confirms 2025/26 Champions League Dates and Kick-Off Times

UEFA has unveiled the complete fixture list, dates, and kick-off times for the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, setting up a series of blockbuster clashes between Europe’s elite clubs.

The announcement follows the draw conducted on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which mapped out opponents for all 36 teams under the competition’s new league-phase format.

Among the standout ties, Chelsea will host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CET.

On the same matchday, Wednesday, 26 November, Arsenal face a daunting test against Bayern Munich at 21:00 CET.

The opening round begins with a mouthwatering clash at the Allianz Arena, as Bayern Munich take on Chelsea in a repeat of the dramatic 2012 final won by the Blues on penalties.

Matchday 2 then brings another heavyweight encounter, with Barcelona welcoming Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

Matchday 4 also promises fireworks, as PSG host Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November, while Liverpool rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield that same evening, both games kicking off at 21:00 CET.

Now in its second year, the Champions League is being played under UEFA’s reformed “league phase” system, which has replaced the traditional group stage.

Instead of eight groups of four, all 36 teams compete in one league table, each facing eight different opponents — four at home and four away.

The top eight sides advance directly to the round of 16, while clubs finishing between 9th and 24th battle through a play-off round to join them in the knockout stages.

Opening Champions League fixtures (19:00 GMT unless stated):

Tuesday, September 16:

Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)

Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)

Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)

Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)

Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)

Wednesday, September 17:

Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)

Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)

Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)

Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)

Thursday, September 18:

Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)

FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)

Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)

Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)

Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)

Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)