Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Road in the League Phase

UEFA unveiled this Saturday the complete schedule for the 2025/26 Champions League, detailing the dates and venues for the eight matchdays of the league phase. Among the standout fixtures is the debut of Real Madrid, who will host Olympique de Marseille on Tuesday, September 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The team coached by Xabi Alonso will also face an unprecedented challenge when they travel to Kazakhstan to meet Kairat Almaty on September 30, marking the longest trip in the club’s European history. Later, they will welcome Juventus on October 22 and visit Liverpool at Anfield on November 4. The schedule also includes clashes with Olympiacos and Benfica, plus home fixtures against Manchester City and Monaco.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will begin their campaign with a tough visit to Newcastle United on Thursday, September 18. They will then host PSG under Luis Enrique on October 1 and Olympiacos on October 21. Their next challenges include away games against Club Brugge and Chelsea, followed by a home match against Eintracht Frankfurt, and they will close in January against Slavia Prague and Copenhagen.

Key Matches to Watch

Matchday 1 promises fireworks with fixtures such as Liverpool vs. Atlético de Madrid at Anfield and Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea on September 17. Defending champions PSG will open at home against Atalanta, while other highlights include Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City vs. Napoli.

The calendar also features marquee games in November, when Bayern Munich visits both PSG and Arsenal in back-to-back weeks, potentially decisive for qualification. In Italy, Inter Milan will host both Liverpool and the Gunners in December and January, matches that could prove crucial in the final stretch of the league phase.

With 36 clubs competing for a spot in the Round of 16, this season’s Champions League is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years, with historic matchups and a demanding schedule testing Europe’s elite.