The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has kicked off this week with an exciting slate of group-stage fixtures.
Under the competition’s revamped format, 36 clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City, and Juventus will contest the league phase, vying for spots in the knockout rounds over the coming months.
According to the rules:
Teams finishing 25th or lower in the league standings are eliminated outright, with no drop into the Europa League.
Clubs ranked 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged play-off for a place in the Round of 16.
The top eight automatically qualify for the last-16 and await the winners of those play-offs.
Interestingly, PSG endured a shaky start in last season’s league phase, finishing 15th before progressing through the play-offs and ultimately lifting the trophy. Luis Enrique’s side will be keen to avoid such drama this term.
The new campaign begins with a packed schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Key fixtures include:
PSG vs Atalanta at the Parc des Princes
Bayern Munich hosting Chelsea
Athletic Bilbao against Arsenal
Real Madrid taking on Marseille
Manchester City facing Napoli
Liverpool welcoming Atlético Madrid to Anfield
With Europe’s elite all in action, the race for continental glory promises another thrilling chapter.
