The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage begins tonight with a full roster of matches played Tuesday and Wednesday. Here, we share some key numbers ahead of the opening round of matches.
Paris Saint Germain are the defending champions, having defeated Inter Milan in last season's final.
Tonight's UEFA Champions League Fixtures (Kickoffs 10 PM Kenyan time unless indicated)
PSV V Union SG 7.45 PM
Athletic Bilbao V Arsenal 7.45 PM
Juventus V Borussia Dortmund
Benfica V Qarabag
Tottenham V Villareal
Real Madrid V Marseille
Which teams are in the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League?
England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
Germany: Bayern München, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Netherlands: PSV, Ajax
Portugal: Benfica*, Sporting CP
Belgium: Club Brugge*, Union Saint-Gilloise
Türkiye: Galatasaray
Czechia: Slavia Praha
Greece: Olympiacos
Denmark: Copenhagen*
Norway: Bodø/Glimt*
Cyprus: Pafos*
Kazakhstan: Kairat Almaty*
Azerbaijan: Qarabağ*
*Play-off winners
Twenty-nine teams qualified automatically, either through their domestic league placing or being holders of the Champions League (Paris Saint-Germain) or UEFA Europa League (Tottenham). Rebalancing was required as Champions League winners Paris also qualified automatically via their domestic league placing.
When are the league phase matches in the 2025/26 Champions League?
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 2026
When are the knockout phase matches in the 2025/26 Champions League?
Knockout phase play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
When are the 2025/26 Champions League draws?
First qualifying round: 17 June 2025
Second qualifying round: 18 June 2025
Third qualifying round: 21 July 2025
Play-offs: 4 August 2025
League phase: 28 August 2025
Knockout phase play-offs: 30 January 2026
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final: 27 February 2026
When and where is the 2026 Champions League final?
The Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, will provide the stage as Champions League action reaches its zenith on 30 May 2026. The stadium also hosted the UEFA Europa League decider in 2023, but this will be the first time that the final of Europe's premier club competition is held in Hungary.
