The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League introduces another highly competitive league phase, with Europe’s elite clubs and rising challengers battling across eight matchdays. Fixtures run from September 16, 2025, through January 28, 2026, with each matchday featuring top clashes that could determine early momentum and eventual knockout seeding.
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Matchday One – September 16–18, 2025
Key Matches:
- Real Madrid vs Olympique de Marseille
- Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
- Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta
- Manchester United vs Barcelona
The competition begins with some of the biggest names in world football going head-to-head.
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Matchday Two – September 30 – October 1, 2025
Key Matches:
- Atlético Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Inter Milan vs Liverpool
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- PSG vs Arsenal
- Pafos FC vs Bayern Munich
Arsenal travel to Paris for an early test against PSG, while Liverpool face Inter in a pivotal clash.
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Matchday Three – October 21–22, 2025
Key Matches:
- Bayern Munich vs Inter Milan
- PSG vs Manchester City
- Juventus vs Sporting CP
- Real Madrid vs Chelsea
PSG against Manchester City is the headline fixture in a week full of heavyweight meetings.
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Matchday Four – November 4–5, 2025
Key Matches:
- Inter Milan vs Real Madrid
- Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
- Juventus vs Benfica
- Chelsea vs PSG
- Tottenham vs Manchester City
Two English-French clashes dominate the round: Chelsea vs PSG and Tottenham vs Manchester City.
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Matchday Five – November 25–26, 2025
Key Matches:
• Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
• Chelsea vs Barcelona
• Manchester City vs Bayer Leverkusen
• Liverpool vs Atalanta
• PSG vs Napoli
Chelsea meet Barcelona in one of the most historic European rivalries.
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Matchday Six – December 9–10, 2025
Key Matches:
- Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich
- PSG vs Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid vs Manchester City
- Juventus vs Liverpool
- Tottenham vs Slavia Praha
Real Madrid take on Manchester City in a clash that has delivered drama in recent editions.
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Matchday Seven – January 20–21, 2026
Key Matches:
- Inter Milan vs Barcelona
- PSG vs Manchester United
- Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
- Liverpool vs Juventus
- Real Madrid vs Arsenal
The new year resumes with classic matchups across Europe, including Real Madrid against Arsenal.
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Matchday Eight – January 28, 2026
Key Matches:
- PSG vs Barcelona
- Juventus vs Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan vs Manchester City
- Real Madrid vs Liverpool
The league phase ends with high-stakes matches, including Real Madrid vs Liverpool and PSG vs Barcelona.
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Key Storylines for the 2025/26 Season
- Can Real Madrid continue their European dominance in the new format?
- Will Manchester City defend their Champions League crown?
- Which emerging clubs such as Atalanta, Villarreal, or Newcastle United will upset Europe’s giants?
- How will debutants like Pafos FC and Kairat Almaty compete against established powers?
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Important Dates
- Opening Fixtures: September 16, 2025
- Final League Phase Matchday: January 28, 2026
- Knockout Round Draw: February 2026
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The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League schedule ensures drama from the first kick to the final league phase match. With traditional powerhouses clashing early and new challengers entering the fray, this season promises unforgettable moments before the knockout stage begins.