Champions League Draw: Six Premier League Clubs Discover Their League Phase Opponents

Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea have all learned their fate in the UEFA Champions League following Thursday’s draw in Monaco. With 36 clubs entering this season’s competition, the English contingent faces a tough schedule as Europe’s elite prepare for the expanded league format.

Liverpool and Manchester City to Meet Real Madrid

The headline clash sees both Liverpool and Manchester City drawn against 14-time European champions Real Madrid. For Liverpool, it brings a swift reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Anfield in the summer to join the Spanish giants.

Liverpool will also face a stern challenge against Inter Milan, requiring a trip to the San Siro. Meanwhile, City will welcome Serie A champions Napoli to the Etihad Stadium, in what will be Kevin De Bruyne’s Champions League return following his injury layoff.

These fixtures promise blockbuster encounters as both Premier League giants take on Spanish and Italian heavyweights.

Newcastle and Spurs Paired with PSG

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur both face reigning holders Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions remain one of the most formidable sides in the competition, and their matchups against the two English clubs are expected to be fiercely contested.

For Newcastle, the draw also includes ties against Barcelona and Benfica, while Spurs are set for meetings with Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, adding to their already demanding fixture list.

Arsenal and Chelsea Matched with Bayern Munich

Arsenal and Chelsea will both test themselves against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. The German side, who continue to be regular challengers for the title, will prove to be stern opposition.

Arsenal also face Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan in what promises to be a challenging group of fixtures. Chelsea, meanwhile, will take on Barcelona and Ajax among others, making their path to the knockout stages far from straightforward.

Full Opponent Lists

Liverpool: Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), PSV Eindhoven (H), Marseille (A), Qarabag (H), Galatasaray (A).

Arsenal: Bayern Munich (H), Inter Milan (A), Atletico Madrid (A), Club Brugge (H), Olympiacos (A), Slavia Prague (H), Kairat Almaty (A), Athletic Bilbao (H).

Manchester City: Borussia Dortmund (H), Real Madrid (A), Bayer Leverkusen (H), Villarreal (A), Napoli (H), Bodo/Glimt (A), Galatasaray (H), Monaco (A).

Chelsea: Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A).

Newcastle United: Barcelona (H), Paris Saint-Germain (A), Benfica (H), Bayer Leverkusen (A), PSV Eindhoven (H), Marseille (A), Athletic Bilbao (H), Union SG (A).

Tottenham Hotspur: Borussia Dortmund (H), Paris Saint-Germain (A), Villarreal (H), Eintracht Frankfurt (A), Slavia Prague (H), Bodo/Glimt (A), Copenhagen (H), Monaco (A).

The match order and dates will be confirmed on Saturday following the conclusion of the Europa League and Conference League draws.

Champions League Format Explained

This season marks the second campaign with the new league format. Each team plays eight matches—four at home and four away—against opponents drawn from four seeded pots.

The top eight teams at the end of the league stage in February will automatically qualify for the last 16. Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a playoff round, with two-legged ties deciding who joins them in the knockout phase. Teams placed 25th or lower will be eliminated from European competition.

Key Dates for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League

League Stage Fixtures

• MD1: 16–18 September 2025
• MD2: 30 September–1 October 2025
• MD3: 21–22 October 2025
• MD4: 4–5 November 2025
• MD5: 25–26 November 2025
• MD6: 9–10 December 2025
• MD7: 20–21 January 2026
• MD8: 28 January 2026

Knockout Rounds

• Playoff Phase: 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 – kick-off 17:00 BST

Conclusión

The draw has set up a thrilling group stage for the six Premier League representatives. From heavyweight clashes against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG to tough trips across Europe, England’s top sides face no easy path. With the new format promising added jeopardy and more fixtures than before, the road to the Budapest final already looks set to deliver drama.