The road to European glory is set as the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League gets underway with its newly expanded 36-team league phase.
Following the draw, clubs across the continent now know the opponents awaiting them in this reformed competition.
This season continues UEFA’s modernized format, where each team faces eight different rivals, four at home and four away.
At the end of the league phase, the top eight sides will progress automatically to the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th must battle through playoffs. Those ranked 25th and below will bow out.
Key Dates for the League Phase
The group/league matches will run from September 2025 through January 2026. Below is the official calendar:
- 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
With heavyweight clashes guaranteed from the outset, fans can look forward to four months of non-stop drama as Europe’s finest chase a spot in the knockout rounds.