UEFA Champions League Fixtures 2025/26 – Matchday 1 Schedule & Results
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League fixtures are officially underway, kicking off a brand-new season under UEFA’s revolutionary format.
Introduced in 2024/25, this system replaces the traditional group stage with a 36-team league phase, ensuring more matches, greater variety, and higher stakes in every game.
This season promises thrilling action as clubs from across Europe fight to secure a place in the knockout rounds, with the final set for May 30, 2026, in Budapest.
The opening Matchday 1 fixtures (September 16–18, 2025) deliver blockbuster encounters, including Real Madrid vs Marseille, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea, and Newcastle United vs Barcelona.
Champions League’s New Format Explained
- 36 teams compete in a single league table.
- Each club plays eight different opponents (four home, four away).
- Opponents are drawn from four seeding pots, creating balance and eliminating “groups of death.”
- The top 8 teams qualify directly for the Round of 16.
- Teams ranked 9th–24th compete in a knockout play-off to reach the last 16.
This new structure also sees six Premier League clubs participating—the most from any single nation—adding even more competition to the world’s most prestigious club tournament.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Fixtures – 2025/26
The opening round of fixtures spans Tuesday, September 16 to Thursday, September 18, 2025, with games spread across Europe. All kick-off times are Central European Time (CET).
| Date | Time (CET) | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 16 | 18:45 | Athletic Club vs Arsenal | San Mamés |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 18:45 | PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise | Philips Stadion |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 21:00 | Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund | Allianz Stadium |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 21:00 | Real Madrid vs Marseille | Santiago Bernabéu |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 21:00 | Benfica vs Qarabağ | Estádio da Luz |
| Tue, Sep 16 | 21:00 | Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 18:45 | Olympiacos vs Pafos | Karaiskakis Stadium |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 18:45 | Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt | Fortuna Arena |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 21:00 | Ajax vs Inter | Johan Cruyff Arena |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 21:00 | Bayern München vs Chelsea | Allianz Arena |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 21:00 | Liverpool vs Atlético de Madrid | Anfield |
| Wed, Sep 17 | 21:00 | Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta | Parc des Princes |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 18:45 | Club Brugge vs Monaco | Jan Breydel Stadium |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 18:45 | Copenhagen vs Leverkusen | Parken Stadium |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 21:00 | Frankfurt vs Galatasaray | Deutsche Bank Park |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 21:00 | Manchester City vs Napoli | Etihad Stadium |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 21:00 | Newcastle United vs Barcelona | St. James’ Park |
| Thu, Sep 18 | 21:00 | Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty | Estádio José Alvalade |
Key Fixtures to Watch on Matchday 1
- Real Madrid vs Marseille (Sep 16): A clash with added intrigue following recent transfer links between the clubs.
- Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (Sep 17): A heavyweight showdown between two recent Champions League winners.
- Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid (Sep 17): A classic European rivalry renewed at Anfield.
- Newcastle vs Barcelona (Sep 18): St. James’ Park hosts one of the biggest fixtures of the round.
The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Matchday 1 fixtures set the tone for a historic season under UEFA’s new league-phase format. From heavyweight clashes to debutant stories, fans can expect three days of high-intensity action across Europe.
Stay tuned for Matchday 2 fixtures and results as the road to Budapest 2026 continues.