The league section of the Champions League is again, with 36 groups battling it out for Europe’s high prize.
Within the second version of the competitors’s revamped format, the premier continental membership match already noticed loads of drama within the qualification rounds, with Celtic and Rangers embarrassingly knocked out, as first-timers resembling Kairat Almaty put together for battle with the massive weapons.
With six English golf equipment concerned and the remainder of the same old heavyweights vying for the well-known trophy, there may be lots to maintain tabs on, so we’ve created a helpful information that will help you via the season.
Most Learn on The Switch Tavern
Discover all the most recent fixtures, outcomes, draw dates and standings right here, together with the place to observe the motion this time period.
QUICK LINKS
Champions League format
The league section returns for a second season, with golf equipment battling it out for a top-8 end to seal an automated last-16 place.
Either side will play eight occasions, with fixtures decided at August’s draw. The schedules ensured that every aspect performs two groups from every pot (one at residence, one away), with golf equipment ranked by their UEFA coefficient.
Groups had been additionally blocked from taking part in sides from their very own nation, and couldn’t face greater than two groups from one other nation within the league section.
The highest eight groups after eight fixtures undergo to the spherical of 16. Golf equipment positioned between ninth and twenty fourth qualify for the two-legged play-off spherical, whereas these ending Twenty fifth-Thirty sixth exit of Europe altogether.
2025/26 Champions League rule modifications
There may be one slight change to the knockout levels this yr, as potential paths in direction of the ultimate have been altered. Final yr, groups within the high 8 had been assured residence benefit within the spherical of 16, with the remainder of the bracket decided by a draw.
This season, residence benefit within the second leg is earned both via putting within the league section or defeating a group that possesses that benefit.
It implies that groups positioned within the high 4 are assured a second leg at residence within the spherical of 16 and quarter-finals, with the highest two sides in a position to play all their knockout second legs at residence, ought to they make it via to the semis.
Nevertheless, the change has brought on controversy, as UEFA has determined that groups ending decrease within the league section can snatch residence benefit away from groups that completed rather a lot greater.
For instance, groups positioned third and 4th can be assured to play a semi-final second leg away from residence, as that proper can be earned by both a top-2 group or the aspect that despatched them out of the competitors.
2025/26 Champions League draw
Six English groups – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester Metropolis, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – realized their destiny when the Champions League draw was made in late August 2025.
It threw up a lot of fascinating narratives, from Xabi Alonso and Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to Anfield with Actual Madrid, to Spurs revisiting the scenes of their run to Europa League glory.
More moderen occasions arrange a reunion between Jose Mourinho and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Benfica giving an honest account of themselves earlier than dropping 1-0 on Matchday 2.
Matchday 3 fixtures
2025/26 Champions League fixture & draw dates
There are eight matchdays throughout the league section of the Champions League, with the ultimate spherical of fixtures that includes all 36 golf equipment on twenty eighth January 2026. The knockout play-off spherical takes place in mid-February.
A draw will then happen on twenty seventh February to find out the path to this yr’s closing in Budapest, with the spherical of 16 being performed in mid-March. The quarter-finals are a month later, whereas the semi-finals will conclude on sixth Might.
The Puskas Enviornment will host the ultimate on thirtieth Might 2026.
2025/26 Champions League outcomes

Matchday 2 noticed Chelsea spoil former supervisor Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge with a slender 1-0 win to get their marketing campaign off and operating.
Newcastle did the identical after dropping within the opening spherical, placing their defeat to Barcelona behind them with an emphatic 4-0 drubbing in opposition to first-timers Union SG. Arsenal had been the one different English aspect to report a victory, due to a stable 2-0 at residence to Olympiacos.
Spurs and Manchester Metropolis each performed out 2-2 attracts away from residence, with a late Eric Dier penalty denying the Residents a victory over Monaco.
Elsewhere, Liverpool had been overwhelmed in Turkey by Galatasaray, whereas holders PSG claimed an announcement victory away at Barcelona after a last-minute Goncalo Ramos strike.
Matchday 1 outcomes
Matchday 2 outcomes
Champions League standings
Six groups stay with 100% information after two matches, with each of final yr’s finalists and Azerbaijan’s Qarabag amongst them.
Liverpool’s defeat sees them drop into mid-table alongside Chelsea, who rise following their first victory of the season. They continue to be in good firm at this early stage, with Barcelona simply in entrance of them after their loss to PSG.
Kairat are, maybe as anticipated, the early whipping boys, having conceded 9 objectives in two video games.
Olympiacos and former European champions Ajax are the one two sides but to attain on this season’s competitors.
Tips on how to watch the Champions League on UK TV
This yr’s Champions League might be broadcast on TNT Sports activities, Prime Video and BBC Sport.
As was the case final yr, TNT Sports activities and Prime Video will share dwell TV rights, with TNT securing the majority of dwell protection. Prime Video selects one match from each Tuesday evening, with TNT exhibiting all different matches. BBC One broadcasts the highlights each week on free-to-air TV.


























Arsenal






































.jpg?w=120&resize=120,86&ssl=1)










