The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league-phase draw has delivered blockbuster clashes across Europe, with Arsenal handed a demanding route involving Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while Manchester City are set for heavyweight battles against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
All 36 clubs discovered their eight league-phase opponents during Thursday’s draw in Monaco. Under UEFA’s league format, every team plays eight different opponents four at home and four away—with two opponents coming from each seeding pot.
Arsenal, runners-up last season, will host Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah while travelling to Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.
Manchester City face PSG, Sporting CP, Napoli and AEK Athens at home, with trips to Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens.
Liverpool were also given a challenging draw. The Reds will welcome Atlético Madrid, Porto, Villarreal and Lens to Anfield, while travelling to Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahçe and LASK.
Returning European giants Manchester United will host Bayern Munich, Roma, RB Leipzig and Sabah, while their away assignments include Atlético Madrid, Sporting CP, Villarreal and Champions League debutants Como.
Aston Villa face PSG, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague in another fascinating draw.
Spanish champions Barcelona will welcome Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como to the Camp Nou, while facing PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray and Sabah away.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will meet Inter Milan, Arsenal, PSV, Roma, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK and AEK Athens. Bayern’s schedule includes Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Real Betis, Manchester United, Bodø/Glimt, Lille, Slavia Prague and Viking.
2026/27 Champions League League-Phase Dates
- Matchday 1: September 8–10, 2026
- Matchday 2: October 13–14
- Matchday 3: October 20–21
- Matchday 4: November 3–4
- Matchday 5: November 24–25
- Matchday 6: December 8–9
- Matchday 7: January 19–20, 2027
- Matchday 8: January 27, 2027
The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the Round of 16, while clubs finishing ninth through 24th will contest knockout play-offs.
Important: UEFA has confirmed the opponents, but the exact match-by-match dates and kick-off times have not yet been released. The finalized fixture schedule is expected no later than Saturday, August 29.
With Real Madrid-Arsenal, Barcelona-Manchester City and Manchester United-Bayern already confirmed, the road to the June 5, 2027 final in Madrid promises fireworks from the opening night.
