Champions League 2025/26: English Clubs Face Tough Tests as League Phase Draw Revealed

The Champions League 2025/26 league phase draw has thrown up exciting matchups for English clubs, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham all set to compete against top European opponents.

In a dramatic twist, Liverpool and Manchester City will face off against reigning champions Real Madrid, while Chelsea takes on Barcelona. Arsenal will face a tough test against Harry Kane's Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Tottenham and Newcastle, meanwhile, have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, the current holders of the Champions League title.

All six Premier League clubs will play eight league-phase games, with four home and four away matches scheduled between September 2025 and January 2026.

English Clubs' League Phase Fixtures:

 Chelsea: Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A)
 Liverpool: Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (A), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), PSV (H), Marseille (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A)
 Manchester City: Borussia Dortmund (H), Real Madrid (A), Bayer Leverkusen (H), Villarreal (A), Napoli (H), Bodo/Glimt (A), Galatasaray (H), Monaco (A)
Arsenal: Bayern Munich (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Club Brugge (A), Olympiacos (H), Slavia Praha (A), Kairat Almaty (H), Athletic Club (A)
 Tottenham: Borussia Dortmund (H), PSG (A), Villarreal (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), Slavia Praha (H), Bodo/Glimt (A), Copenhagen (H), Monaco (A)
 Newcastle: Barcelona (H), PSG (A), Benfica (H), Bayer Leverkusen (A), PSV (H), Marseille (A), Athletic Club (H), Union SG (A)

New Champions League Format:

The Champions League has introduced a new format, with teams playing eight matches in a league phase that has replaced the traditional group stage. The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated.

League Phase Match Dates:

 Matchday 1: September 16-18
 Matchday 2: September 30-October 1
Matchday 3: October 21/22
Matchday 4: November 4/5
 Matchday 5: November 25/26
Matchday 6: December 9/10
 Matchday 7: January 20/21
 Matchday 8: January 28

Knockout Phase:

The knockout phase play-offs will take place on February 17/18 and 24/25, with the round of 16 scheduled for March 10/11 and 17/18.

Final:

The Champions League final will be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on May 30, 2026.