The road to Budapest is mapped out after last month’s draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase, a path that contains fireworks for England’s six representatives.
Both Liverpool and Manchester City will face 15-time winners Real Madrid, while holders Paris Saint-Germain were paired with Tottenham and Newcastle in heavyweight clashes that headline the early stages.
The league-phase format, introduced last season, sees 36 clubs play eight matches each against different opponents.
The top eight qualify automatically for the round of 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th enter a playoff to join them. Those finishing 25th or below are eliminated outright.
The first games begin on today, Tuesday, 16 September, with the final scheduled for the Puskás Aréna, Budapest, on 30 May 2026.
Liverpool and City Brace for Real Madrid Tests
For new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, the draw could hardly be more daunting.
The Reds will host Real Madrid at Anfield in one of the blockbuster ties of the season, setting the stage for the return of former captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, now a Galáctico.
Liverpool must also navigate fixtures against;
- Inter Milan,
- Atlético Madrid,
- Eintracht Frankfurt,
- PSV,
- Marseille,
- Qarabag, and
- Galatasaray.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are plotting revenge after last season’s painful elimination at the hands of Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s side will face the Spaniards away, while also meeting;
- Borussia Dortmund,
- Napoli,
- Bayer Leverkusen,
- Villarreal,
- Bodo/Glimt,
- Galatasaray and
- Monaco.
Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad with Napoli is another storyline that promises emotion.
Arsenal and Chelsea Face European Giants
Arsenal, who reached the semifinals last season, will once again test themselves against Europe’s best.
Mikel Arteta’s side meet Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, with Harry Kane’s reunion at the Emirates already marked as a must-watch.
They also play;
- Atlético Madrid,
- Club Brugge,
- Olympiacos,
- Slavia Prague,
- Athletic Bilbao and
- Kairat Almaty.
Chelsea, world champions and Conference League winners last season, have been handed one of the toughest routes.
Enzo Maresca’s side will play;
- Barcelona,
- Bayern Munich,
- Benfica,
- Atalanta,
- Ajax, Napoli,
- Qarabag and
- Pafos.
Away trips to Munich, Bergamo, and Baku stand out as particularly testing.
Spurs and Newcastle Draw PSG
Tottenham, back in the Champions League after lifting the Europa League, face a glamorous but challenging fixture list.
Thomas Frank’s side will travel to Paris to meet holders PSG, but their other fixtures appear more manageable;
- Borussia Dortmund,
- Villarreal,
- Eintracht Frankfurt,
- Slavia Prague,
- Bodo/Glimt,
- Copenhagen and
- Monaco
Newcastle’s return to Europe’s top table also brings glamour ties. St James’ Park will host Barcelona and Benfica, while Eddie Howe’s side will travel to face;
- PSG,
- Bayer Leverkusen,
- Marseille,
- Union SG and
- PSV Eindhoven.
Who Got the Luck of the Draw?
UEFA coefficients suggest PSV Eindhoven were handed the toughest draw, facing;
- champions of England (City),
- Germany (Bayern),
- Italy (Napoli), and
- Atlético Madrid and
- Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal and Tottenham were seen as the luckier Premier League teams, avoiding some of the toughest seeds beyond their headline ties.
Atalanta were judged to have the softest schedule overall, with games against PSG and Chelsea balanced by meetings with Slavia Prague, Marseille and Club Brugge.
Reunions and Grudge Matches
The draw also serves up several intriguing personal storylines:
Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Anfield with Real Madrid after his controversial summer move.
Kevin De Bruyne revisits Manchester City in Napoli colours.
Harry Kane faces Arsenal at the Emirates with Bayern Munich.
Antonio Conte comes up against former club Chelsea when Napoli host the Blues.
Must-See Fixtures of the League Phase
Liverpool vs Real Madrid – A clash steeped in history, from finals in 2018 and 2022 to last year’s group stage drama.
Barcelona vs PSG – A modern rivalry that has produced classics, most predicted 2024/25 champions league final fixture, with Luis Enrique returning to Camp Nou.
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich – The Kane subplot adds spice to a tie where Bayern have dominated historically.
Chelsea vs Barcelona – With so much shared history and controversy, this fixture rarely disappoints.
Kairat Almaty vs Real Madrid – The Kazakh underdogs hosting Europe’s most decorated club is a true David vs Goliath spectacle.
The Premier League Contingent
Liverpool: Real Madrid, Inter, Atlético, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, Galatasaray.
Manchester City: Real Madrid, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Napoli, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, Galatasaray, Monaco.
Chelsea: Barcelona, Bayern, Benfica, Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Qarabag, Pafos.
Arsenal: Bayern, Inter, Atlético, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Athletic Bilbao, Kairat Almaty.
Tottenham: PSG, Dortmund, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen, Monaco.
Newcastle: PSG, Barcelona, Benfica, Leverkusen, PSV, Marseille, Athletic Bilbao, Union SG.
