UEFA Champions League Europe’s elite club competition returns for its 71st season and 34th under the Champions League name — and there’s a lot that’s new this year. Here’s everything you need to know about the format, schedule, and which teams are set to shine.
🆕 Format Overhaul: League Phase & Path to Knockouts
- The 2025-26 season continues with the expanded league phase format introduced recently.
- Instead of traditional groups, all 36 teams are placed into a single table, each playing 8 matches in the league phase — facing opponents drawn from several seeding pots.
- Progression to the knockout rounds:
- Top 8 clubs in the league table after Matchday 8 go directly to the Round of 16.
- Clubs ranked 9th-24th enter a playoff round (home & away) to vie for the remaining Round of 16 spots.
- The bottom 12 teams are eliminated after the league phase.
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📆 Key Dates & Schedule
Here are the important dates to keep in mind:
| Phase | Key Dates |
| League Phase / Matchday 1 | September 16-18, 2025 |
| Matchday 2 | September 30 – October 1, 2025 |
| Matchday 3 | October 21-22, 2025 |
| Matchday 4 | November 4-5, 2025 |
| Matchday 5 | November 25-26, 2025 |
| Matchday 6 | December 9-10, 2025 |
| Matchday 7 | January 20-21, 2026 |
| Matchday 8 | January 28, 2026 |
| Knockout Playoffs Draw | January 30, 2026 |
| Knockout Playoffs | February 17-18 & 24-25, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | March 10-11 & 17-18, 2026 |
| Quarterfinals | April 7-8 & 14-15, 2026 |
| Semifinals | April 28-29 & May 5-6, 2026 |
| Final | May 30, 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest |
⚽ Clubs, Big Fixtures & Teams to Watch
With 36 clubs in the fray, many familiar faces and some newcomers will provide drama throughout the league phase.
Here are some highlights:
- Defending Champions: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will begin their title defence in this tougher new format.
- Heavyweights: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund are all in the mix.
- Debutants / Lower Profile Clubs: The likes of Kairat Almaty, Pafos, Union Saint-Gilloise make appearances — giving more variety to the competition.
- Key matchups to look forward to:
- Real Madrid vs Marseille on Matchday 1
- Bayern München vs Chelsea also headlines the opening round
- Arsenal vs Bayern, Barcelona vs PSG among several marquee fixtures later in the league phase.
🔍 What Makes This Season Different
- The expanded league phase means more matches against a broader pool of opponents. There are no more small group pods — it’s broader competition, more unpredictability.
- The scheduling is more stretched: the league phase now runs from mid-September through late January.
- Timing of matches: Most fixtures are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except during the “exclusive week” (Matchday 1) when Thursday fixtures are also included.
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✅ Takeaway
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League promises to be one for the ages:
- New format, more high stakes from the get-go
- A full schedule loaded with classic rivalries and fresh matchups
- More opportunities for underdog stories given the larger field
For fans, there’s a lot to look forward to, and every matchday has the potential for shocks and showdowns.