The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season is finally here, bringing with it fresh excitement, top European clashes, and a new chapter in football history.
From legendary clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City to rising contenders such as Newcastle United and Pafos FC, the journey begins now.
Whether you’re a passionate fan or a casual viewer, understanding the full schedule, key fixtures, and team line-ups will keep you fully immersed in the action all season long.
What Is UEFA Champions League?
The UEFA Champions League is more than just a football competition. For millions across Europe and beyond, it represents the pinnacle of club football, where legends are born, dreams are shattered, and history is written under the floodlights of Europe’s greatest stadiums.
Introduced in 1955 as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, it rebranded in 1992 to the format we know today, a thrilling multi-round tournament featuring top-tier clubs from the continent. It brings together the best-performing teams from domestic leagues, rewarding consistency, quality, and ambition.
Over the years, the Champions League has evolved to become a festival of world-class football. From group stage drama to knockout battles, it consistently delivers iconic moments.
Names like Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have dominated its past. Yet, every season introduces new challengers, teams hungry to create their own legacy.
The 2025/26 edition promises to be a landmark year. With new teams, shifting dynamics, and intense scheduling, it offers fans fresh excitement from matchday one. For those eager to follow the journey closely, understanding the full UEFA Champions League 2025/26 schedule is essential.
Which Teams Are Competing in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League?
As of 25 September 2025, the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase is in full swing. Each of the 36 qualified clubs has played one match, and the table is already beginning to take shape with early wins, draws, and surprising losses.
The tournament features a powerful mix of European giants, rising stars, and historic clubs across top domestic leagues. With UEFA’s revamped league format in place, every match is crucial, and each point earned could prove decisive in securing a spot in the knockout stages.
Below is the list of all 36 teams currently competing in the league phase, along with their standings after one round of matches:
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 – League Phase Standings (After Matchday 1)
| Rank | Club | Country | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eintracht Frankfurt | GER | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 3 | W |
| 2 | Paris Saint-Germain | FRA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 | W |
| 3 | Club Brugge | BEL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | W |
| 4 | Sporting Lisbon | POR | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 3 | W |
| 5 | Union Saint-Gilloise | BEL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | W |
| 6 | Bayern Munich | GER | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 | W |
| 7 | Arsenal | ENG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | W |
| 8 | Inter Milan | ITA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | W |
| 9 | Manchester City | ENG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 | W |
| 10 | Qarabag FK | AZE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | W |
| 11 | Liverpool | ENG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | W |
| 12 | Barcelona | ESP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | W |
| 13 | Real Madrid | ESP | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | W |
| 14 | Tottenham Hotspur | ENG | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | W |
| 15 | Borussia Dortmund | GER | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 16 | Juventus | ITA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 17 | Bayer Leverkusen | GER | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 18 | Bodø/Glimt | NOR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 19 | FC Copenhagen | DEN | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 20 | Slavia Prague | CZE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 21 | Olympiakos | GRE | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 22 | Pafos | CYP | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 23 | Atlético Madrid | ESP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 | L |
| 24 | Benfica | POR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 0 | L |
| 25 | Marseille | FRA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | L |
| 26 | Newcastle United | ENG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 | L |
| 27 | Villarreal | ESP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | L |
| 28 | Chelsea | ENG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 | L |
| 29 | PSV Eindhoven | NED | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 | L |
| 30 | Ajax | NED | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | L |
| 31 | Athletic Club | ESP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | L |
| 32 | Napoli | ITA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 | L |
| 33 | Kairat Almaty | KAZ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | L |
| 34 | Monaco | FRA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | L |
| 35 | Galatasaray | TUR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 | L |
| 36 | Atalanta | ITA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 | L |
These clubs represent the elite of European domestic football. The league phase guarantees multiple high-profile encounters between them.
How Does the UEFA Champions League Format Work in 2025/26?
The 2025/26 season continues the newly introduced Swiss-style format, which was implemented in the previous campaign.
Key Format Changes
- The traditional group stages have been replaced by a league phase.
- All 36 teams are placed into a single league table.
- Each club plays eight different opponents (four home, four away).
- The top 8 teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th to 24th enter a two-legged play-off to determine the remaining 8 knockout spots.
- 25th to 36th positions are eliminated.
This format allows fans to witness more diverse and competitive fixtures, ensuring that every match has higher stakes from the outset.
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Schedule: Key Matchdays & Timeline
The full schedule spans from September 2025 to May 2026. Matchdays are set based on traditional midweek timings (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) with a few exceptions for winter scheduling.
Fixture Timeline (Group Stage Highlights)
| Date | Fixture | Kick-Off (BST) |
| 16/09/2025 | Arsenal vs Athletic Club | 17:45 |
| 16/09/2025 | Villarreal vs Tottenham | 20:00 |
| 17/09/2025 | Chelsea vs Liverpool | 20:00 |
| 18/09/2025 | Man City vs FC Kairat | 20:00 |
| 30/09/2025 | Real Madrid vs FC Kairat | 17:45 |
| 01/10/2025 | Arsenal vs PSV | 20:00 |
| 21/10/2025 | Benfica vs Arsenal | 20:00 |
| 04/11/2025 | PSG vs Arsenal | 20:00 |
| 25/11/2025 | Real Madrid vs Arsenal | 20:00 |
| 10/12/2025 | Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen | 20:00 |
The schedule incorporates matchdays through January 2026, with play-offs and knockouts continuing into the spring.
Where Can Fans Watch the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Matches?
Fans in the UK can catch all the action through a combination of broadcasters and digital platforms.
UK Broadcast Coverage
- TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport): Exclusive live coverage of all matches.
- Discovery+: Streaming available for mobile and smart TV devices.
- Sky Sports: Match previews, highlights, and studio analysis.
Live coverage includes pre- and post-match shows, replays, and tactical breakdowns for major clashes. Select matches may also be available on free-to-air highlights programmes.
Who Are the Favourites to Win the Champions League This Season?
The competition remains fierce, but a few clubs stand out heading into the new season.
Leading Contenders
- Manchester City: Defending champions with depth in every department.
- Real Madrid: Always a force in knockout rounds with a young yet elite midfield.
- Bayern Munich: Experience, power, and consistency.
- Paris Saint-Germain: Star-studded attack with fresh managerial approach.
Dark Horses
- Arsenal: Strong domestic form and youthful energy.
- Napoli: Impressive balance and tactical fluidity.
- Inter Milan: Organised defence and counter-attacking threat.
These teams are not only expected to progress, but to challenge for the title deep into the knockout rounds.
How Are the Standings and Points Tables Calculated?
The league standings determine qualification and seeding into the next phase.
Scoring System
- Win: 3 points
- Draw: 1 point
- Loss: 0 points
Tie-breakers
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head record (if applicable)
- UEFA coefficient
Each point gained in the early rounds plays a crucial role later in qualification.
What Are the Most Anticipated Matches in the 2025/26 Season?
With 36 clubs involved, many marquee clashes are expected.
Top Fixtures to Watch
- Chelsea vs Barcelona
- Liverpool vs PSG
- Arsenal vs Real Madrid
- Manchester City vs Bayern Munich
- Juventus vs Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal
These matches are set to be pivotal in shaping the league table and the fate of several giants.
When and Where Is the UEFA Champions League 2026 Final?
The final of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will take place in May 2026. Although the exact venue is yet to be confirmed, discussions are underway regarding elite European stadiums.
Likely Final Venue
UEFA is expected to announce a neutral venue with a capacity of 60,000+ and a rich history of hosting major European matches.
Fans can expect a grand occasion with international appeal, building up to a legendary night in football history.
Conclusion
Following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 schedule gives fans a front-row seat to the biggest stories in football.
With a refreshed format, an intense calendar, and a star-studded lineup of teams, this season promises high drama from the opening whistle to the final in May.
As the group matches unfold, surprises are bound to shake up predictions. Staying up to date with fixtures, results, and standings ensures no story is missed.
Whether you’re supporting a favourite club or enjoying the game for its brilliance, the 2025/26 campaign has something for everyone.
FAQs
How many teams qualify for the knockout stage?
Sixteen teams qualify. The top 8 from the league phase go directly, while teams ranked 9th to 24th compete in a play-off.
What format does the 2025/26 Champions League follow?
It follows a league phase (Swiss format), where each team plays 8 matches against 8 different opponents.
When does the knockout stage begin?
The knockout play-off round starts in February 2026, followed by the Round of 16 in March.
Which teams are debuting in the 2025/26 season?
Teams like Pafos FC and Kairat Almaty are among the newcomers to the competition.
How are fixtures selected for each team?
Fixtures are computer-generated based on UEFA’s seeding and performance rules to ensure balance and competitiveness.
Are Russian teams participating this season?
No, Russian teams remain suspended from UEFA competitions until further notice.
Where can fans check live scores and tables?
Live scores and tables are available on TNT Sports, Sky Sports, and the UEFA official website.
