2025-26 Uefa Champions League Schedule

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League marks a significant evolution in Europe’s premier club football competition, introducing a revamped format and an expanded roster of participating teams. This season promises heightened excitement and competitiveness, with a comprehensive schedule that spans from July 2025 to May 2026.

🏆 Overview of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League

• Season Duration: 8 July 2025 – 30 May 2026

• Final Venue: Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary

• Total Teams in League Phase: 36

• New Format: Introduction of a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage UEFA.comWikipediaWikipedia+8BILD+8Dxs Wiki+8

📅 Detailed Schedule

Qualifying Rounds

The journey to the league phase begins with multiple qualifying rounds, allowing clubs from various associations to compete for a spot in the main competition.

A total of 53 teams will participate in the qualifying phase, divided into the Champions Path and League Path. The seven winners from the play-off round (five from the Champions Path and two from the League Path) will advance to the league phase, joining the 29 teams that have qualified directly. Wikipedia+1BBC+1

League Phase

The traditional group stage has been replaced with a single league phase, where each of the 36 teams will play eight matches against different opponents. The fixtures are scheduled as follows:The Times+2BILD+2BILD+2

• Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025

• Matchday 2: 30 September – 1 October 2025

• Matchday 3: 21–22 October 2025

• Matchday 4: 4–5 November 2025

• Matchday 5: 25–26 November 2025

• Matchday 6: 9–10 December 2025

• Matchday 7: 20–21 January 2026

• Matchday 8: 28 January 2026BILD+8Wikipedia+8CBSSports.com+8ESPN.com

The top eight teams in the league standings will advance directly to the Round of 16. Teams placed 9th to 24th will enter the knockout phase play-offs to vie for the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16. BILD+1BILD+1

Knockout Phase

The knockout rounds will proceed as follows:

• Knockout Phase Play-offs:

  • Draw: 30 January 2026

  • First Leg: 17–18 February 2026

  • Second Leg: 24–25 February 2026

• Round of 16:

  • Draw: 27 February 2026

  • First Leg: 10–11 March 2026

  • Second Leg: 17–18 March 2026

• Quarter-finals:

  • First Leg: 7–8 April 2026

  • Second Leg: 14–15 April 2026

• Semi-finals:

  • First Leg: 28–29 April 2026

  • Second Leg: 5–6 May 2026

• Final:

  • Date: 30 May 2026

  • Venue: Puskás Aréna, BudapestWikipedia+1UEFA.com+1Wikipedia

⚽ Qualified Teams for the League Phase

As of now, 29 teams have secured their spots in the league phase through domestic league performances and other qualifying criteria. The remaining seven spots will be filled through the qualifying rounds. Wikipedia+3BBC+3UEFA.com+3

England (6 Teams)

• Tottenham Hotspur

• Liverpool

• Arsenal

• Manchester City

• Chelsea

• Newcastle UnitedDxs Wiki+9The Guardian+9The Times+9BILD+7BBC+7The Guardian+7

Spain (5 Teams)

• Barcelona

• Real Madrid

• Atletico Madrid

• Athletic Club

• VillarrealThe Times+2BILD+2BILD+2BBC+1The Guardian+1ESPN.com+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

Germany (4 Teams)

• Bayern Munich

• Bayer Leverkusen

• Eintracht Frankfurt

• Borussia DortmundBBC+1BILD+1

Italy (4 Teams)

• Napoli

• Inter Milan

• Atalanta

• JuventusBBC+1BILD+1

France (3 Teams)

• Paris Saint-Germain

• Marseille

• MonacoThe Guardian+7BBC+7The Times+7

Netherlands (2 Teams)

• PSV Eindhoven

• Ajax

Other Notable Teams

• Olympiacos (Greece)

• Celtic (Scotland) – pending qualification through one roundBBC

Additional teams from Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, and the Czech Republic have also qualified, with the final list to be confirmed post the qualifying rounds.BBC

🆕 Key Changes in the 2025–26 Season

Introduction of the League Phase

Replacing the traditional group stage, the league phase features all 36 teams in a single league table. Each team plays eight matches against different opponents, ensuring a diverse and competitive set of fixtures. UEFA.com+7BILD+7Dxs Wiki+7

Expanded Participation

The competition has expanded from 32 to 36 teams in the league phase, allowing for greater representation across European football.

European Performance Spots

Two additional places in the league phase are awarded to the associations with the best collective performance in European competitions during the previous season. For the 2025–26 season, England and Spain have secured these spots, which have been allocated to Aston Villa and Villarreal, respectively. UEFA.com+1BBC+1

📍 Final Venue: Puskás Aréna, Budapest

The culmination of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League will take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This modern stadium, known for its state-of-the-art facilities, will host the final on 30 May 2026, providing a fitting stage for Europe’s top clubs to contest the prestigious trophy. WikipediaUEFA.com

📺 Broadcasting and Viewing

Fans worldwide can look forward to comprehensive coverage of the Champions League matches through various broadcasting partners. In Pakistan, matches are typically available through local sports networks and streaming services. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on match timings and broadcasting channels, viewers should consult official UEFA communications and local listings.

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League promises to be a landmark season, with its innovative format and expanded roster of teams setting the stage for thrilling football action. As clubs across Europe prepare to compete for continental glory, fans can anticipate a season filled with memorable moments and high-stakes encounters.