The second season of the new UEFA Champions League format is set to kick off after a thrilling draw in Monaco on Thursday.
The draw ceremony saw 36 teams placed into a single league, producing blockbuster fixtures right from the start, with top clubs facing challenging opponents from all four seeding pots.
The new format, which replaces the traditional group stage, will see each of the 36 teams play eight matches—four at home and four away—against eight different opponents. The top eight teams at the end of the league phase will automatically qualify for the knockout stage, while those ranked 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged playoff to secure their spot in the Round of 16.
Among the most anticipated matchups from the draw, Paris Saint-Germain will face a tough slate of opponents, including a return to Germany to play Bayern Munich and a trip to Spain to take on Barcelona. The defending champions will have their work cut out for them as they aim to retain their title.
Elsewhere, English giants Liverpool will host Real Madrid in a highly anticipated rematch of previous finals, while also traveling to Italy to face Inter Milan. Manchester City has also been handed a difficult draw, with fixtures against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal, another English powerhouse, will take on German champions Bayern Munich and Italian side Inter Milan.
The new format has also created opportunities for debutants and underdogs. Teams like Norway's Bodø/Glimt, Cyprus' Pafos, and Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty will get to test their mettle against Europe's elite. For instance, Kairat Almaty will host Real Madrid, marking a first-ever meeting between a Kazakh team and a European giant in the competition's main phase.
The league phase will officially begin on September 16, with the final matchday scheduled for January 28, 2026. Football fans around the world are now eagerly awaiting the start of what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable campaign.
Key Fixtures to Watch:
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Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
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PSG vs. Bayern Munich
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Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
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Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
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Barcelona vs. PSG
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Inter Milan vs. Liverpool
