The Champions League is back, and the draw for this season’s “league phase” is full of exciting matchups that soccer fans can’t wait to see. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will take on Barcelona, Real Madrid will face Manchester City, and Liverpool also has a very tricky set of games against some of Europe’s best.
If you’re new to the Champions League, here’s the deal: this is the biggest soccer competition for clubs in Europe. It’s basically the Super Bowl of world soccer, but instead of just one country, you’ve got the best teams from Spain, England, Germany, Italy, France, and more. Legends are made in this tournament—just ask Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or Karim Benzema, who have all dominated here before.
This season’s tournament uses a new “league phase” format, which means teams don’t play in small groups anymore. Instead, all 36 clubs are in one big league, and each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents. The top eight move straight to the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th through 24th go into play-offs. The bottom 12? They’re out. It’s a tough system but makes things way more exciting.
Now, let’s break down what the draw means for the biggest teams.
PSG’s Challenge: Barcelona, Bayern, and More
Paris Saint-Germain are the defending Champions League winners. Last season, they lifted the trophy after some very tough matches, even though they only finished 15th in the league phase. This time, things aren’t any easier.
PSG will play Barcelona away and host Bayern Munich at home. These are two of the toughest clubs in the world: Barcelona has five Champions League titles, while Bayern Munich has six. Imagine starting your defense of the crown against these giants!
But it doesn’t stop there. PSG also has games against Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and tricky opponents like Atalanta (who are known for attacking soccer) and Sporting CP from Portugal. Even Athletic Club from Spain could cause problems.
Their coach, Luis Enrique, will need all his experience to guide PSG through. Fun fact: Luis Enrique used to coach Barcelona, so going back to face them will be an emotional clash.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City: Clash of the Titans
Real Madrid, the kings of European soccer with a record 14 Champions League titles, will face Manchester City. This is becoming a classic rivalry. In 2022, Real pulled off an incredible comeback against City, but in 2023, Pep Guardiola’s City destroyed them on their way to winning the Champions League for the first time.
This season, they meet again. Real will host City at the Santiago Bernabéu, one of the most famous stadiums in the world. It’s a dream matchup: Erling Haaland vs Jude Bellingham, Pep Guardiola vs Xabi Alonso, history vs modern dominance.
And it’s not just City. Real will also travel to Liverpool, who are Premier League champions. That game at Anfield is sure to be wild. If you’ve ever watched Liverpool play at home, you know the atmosphere is insane—fans sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” so loudly it shakes the whole stadium.
Real also has games against Villarreal, Monaco, and Norwegian newcomers Bodo/Glimt. Fun fact: Bodo/Glimt comes from the Arctic Circle in Norway, so teams will play there in freezing temperatures.
Liverpool’s Road: Atletico, Inter, Frankfurt, and More
Liverpool, coached by Arne Slot, finished first in last season’s league phase but were knocked out by PSG in the Round of 16. This year, they want revenge.
Their schedule isn’t easy. At Anfield, they’ll face Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag of Azerbaijan. But away games will be even tougher: Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, and Turkish champions Galatasaray.
Liverpool has won the Champions League six times, most recently in 2019, and their fans always expect them to go far. With players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, they have the quality, but every game will be a test.
Manchester City’s Path: Dortmund, Napoli, Leverkusen, and More
Manchester City, who won the trophy in 2023, are always favorites. They’ve built a powerhouse under Guardiola, with stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland, and Phil Foden.
This season, City will play Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli, and Galatasaray at home. That’s already stacked, but they’ll also travel to Villarreal, Monaco, and Bodo/Glimt.
Napoli, the Italian champions, will be particularly tricky, while Leverkusen are flying under manager Xabi Alonso. This could be one of the most entertaining sets of games in the whole tournament.
Other Big Fixtures
Barcelona will face Chelsea and Newcastle away, which could bring back memories of classic Chelsea vs Barca clashes.
Arsenal has Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid at home but must travel to Inter Milan and Athletic Bilbao.
Kairat Almaty, a new team from Kazakhstan, made history by qualifying after beating Celtic on penalties. They’ll host Real Madrid and travel to Arsenal.
Pafos, from Cyprus, will play Chelsea and Bayern Munich. These underdogs will be tested against giants.
The tournament always brings surprises. Remember when Ajax made the semifinals in 2019? Or when Porto shocked everyone in 2004 by winning the whole thing? Upsets can happen again.
Key Dates and Final
The first games will be played from September 16th to 18th, and the last matchday is on January 28th. The final will take place in Budapest, Hungary on May 30th, 2026 (mark your calendars!). Unusually, the game will start at 18:00 local time, not 21:00 like normal.
Quick Soccer Facts Combo
Real Madrid has the most Champions League trophies: 14.
Liverpool has 6, Bayern Munich has 6, and Barcelona has 5.
The Champions League anthem is so famous that many players say it gives them goosebumps before kickoff.
The competition began in 1955 as the “European Cup” before becoming the Champions League in 1992.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the tournament with 140+ goals. Lionel Messi is right behind him.
Final Thoughts
This season’s Champions League looks like one of the most exciting yet. PSG defending their title against Barcelona and Bayern, Real Madrid taking on Man City, and Liverpool facing some of Europe’s toughest stadiums—it’s a dream lineup for fans.
With the new league format, every game matters. Teams can’t afford to slip up, because only the best eight move straight to the Round of 16. And don’t forget the underdogs like Pafos and Kairat Almaty—they’ll want to make history too.
By the time May comes around and the final is held in Budapest, we’ll know who handled the pressure best. Will it be PSG again? Can City reclaim their crown? Or will Real Madrid add number 15 to their collection? One thing’s for sure: the Champions League will give us unforgettable moments, as it always does.
