The Champions League league phase draw has been finalized, featuring high-profile matchups for Manchester City, Aston Villa, Arsenal, and other top European clubs.
Key facts
- •Paris Saint-Germain are the two-time defending champions of the competition.
- •Manchester City will face former midfielder Kevin de Bruyne when they host Napoli.
- •Rodri, who joined Barcelona this summer for £65m, will face his former club, Manchester City.
- •The league phase will consist of 36 teams playing eight matches each.
- •The final of the tournament is set to be held in Madrid on 5 June.
The draw for the 36-team Champions League league phase has been conducted, setting up significant matchups for Premier League clubs. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are set to face Manchester City and Aston Villa, while Arsenal will host 15-time winners Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.
By the numbers
Premier League Club Fixtures
Manchester City, managed by Enzo Maresca, will host PSG at the Etihad Stadium and travel to face Barcelona. Aston Villa, returning to the competition, will host PSG and Borussia Dortmund, with away matches against Barcelona and Galatasaray. Arsenal will host Real Madrid and travel to face Bayern Munich, alongside matches against Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Lille, Napoli, Sabah, and Slavia Prague. Manchester United and Liverpool also received their schedules, with United facing opponents including Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, while Liverpool will host Atletico Madrid and visit Inter Milan.
Competition Format and Schedule
In the new league phase format, each of the 36 participating teams will play eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away. The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the last 16, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two-legged knockout play-off. Teams finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated from the competition entirely. The league phase begins on 8 September and concludes on 27 January 2027, with the final scheduled to take place in Madrid on 5 June.
Timeline
- ThursdayThe 36-team Champions League draw was conducted.
- 8 SeptemberThe first league-phase matches are scheduled to be played.
- 27 January 2027The final round of league-phase games will take place.
- 5 JuneThe final of the Champions League will be held in Madrid.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport, France24 Sport.
