Champions League draw sets PSG against Barcelona and Real Madrid against Arsenal

League phase fixtures for holders and Real Madrid

The Champions League league-phase draw in Monaco on Thursday determined the eight opponents for each club in the 2026–2027 European campaign. Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who retained their title in May by defeating Arsenal on penalties in the final, will host Barcelona and visit Manchester City. Luis Enrique's squad also drew Roma, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Slovan Bratislava, and Italian club Como. Real Madrid, fifteen-time European champions, host Inter Milan and visit Arsenal. The match against Inter pairs Madrid manager Jose Mourinho against the club he guided to the European treble in 2010. Madrid's schedule also includes games against PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK, and AEK Athens, alongside an away trip to Arsenal, where Madrid lost 3-0 two seasons ago in the quarter-finals.

English contenders face continental tests

Manchester City enter the competition under new manager Enzo Maresca following the departures of Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones. City host Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli, setting up a return to the Etihad Stadium for Kevin De Bruyne, while travelling to Barcelona, Porto, Lens, and Leipzig. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, visit Serie A champions Inter Milan at San Siro, facing midfielder Curtis Jones after his £30 million transfer from Anfield earlier in August. Liverpool also host Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal, and Lens, while travelling to Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, and LASK. Aston Villa, who entered the competition after winning the Europa League under Unai Emery, will host PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Fenerbahce, and Viking, while travelling to Barcelona, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, and Slavia Prague.

Manchester United return and debutant fixtures

Manchester United return to the tournament under manager Michael Carrick after their group-stage exit in the 2023–2024 season. United host Bayern Munich and travel to Atletico Madrid, Sporting CP, and Como. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas and featuring midfielder Nico Paz, intend to host games at their renovated 12,500-seat Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. United also travel to Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma side, which features Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen. Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, will host Manchester City and travel to Paris, alongside away fixtures against Galatasaray in Istanbul and Azerbaijani club Sabah.

Tournament structure and European titles

The league-phase format is entering its third season following its introduction in 2024–2025. Each club faces eight distinct opponents, playing four matches at home and four away, with exact match dates to be confirmed by UEFA. Six-time winners Bayern Munich will host Arsenal while travelling to Atletico Madrid and Manchester United. Several former champions across Europe will compete to replace Paris Saint-Germain, who won the last two European crowns under Luis Enrique.