The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league-phase draw has produced a number of blockbuster encounters, with Europe’s biggest clubs learning their opponents for the opening phase of the competition.
The draw, held in Monaco on Thursday, August 27, saw 36 clubs paired with eight different opponents as the Champions League continues with its expanded league-phase format. Each club will play eight matches—four at home and four away.
Among the biggest fixtures, Real Madrid will face Arsenal, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will meet Manchester City and Barcelona.
Real Madrid Handed Arsenal Test
Real Madrid have been handed a challenging schedule as they begin their quest to reclaim the Champions League trophy.
The Spanish giants will host Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven, while travelling to face Arsenal and Roma, among other opponents.
Their full league-phase schedule is:
- Inter Milan — Home
- Arsenal — Away
- PSV Eindhoven — Home
- Roma — Away
- RB Leipzig — Home
- Shakhtar Donetsk — Away
- LASK — Home
- AEK Athens — Away
The meeting with Arsenal is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the league phase.
Man City Draw PSG and Barcelona
Manchester City have also been handed a demanding schedule, with the Premier League giants set to face Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
City will host PSG, Sporting CP, Napoli and AEK Athens, while travelling to Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens.
Their opponents are:
- PSG — Home
- Barcelona — Away
- Sporting CP — Home
- Porto — Away
- Napoli — Home
- RB Leipzig — Away
- AEK Athens — Home
- Lens — Away
PSG Begin Title Defence
Paris Saint-Germain enter the new campaign as defending champions and will face a stern test in their bid to retain the trophy.
The French giants will host Barcelona and Roma, while travelling to Manchester City and Aston Villa.
PSG’s opponents are:
- Barcelona — Home
- Manchester City — Away
- Roma — Home
- Aston Villa — Away
- Galatasaray — Home
- Villarreal — Away
- Slovan Bratislava — Home
- Como — Away
PSG’s campaign will attract significant attention as they attempt to continue their dominance in Europe’s elite competition.
Arsenal Face Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
Arsenal have been handed one of the most eye-catching schedules, with the Gunners set to host Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund while travelling to Bayern Munich and Napoli.
Their opponents are:
- Real Madrid — Home
- Bayern Munich — Away
- Borussia Dortmund — Home
- Real Betis — Away
- Lille — Home
- Napoli — Away
- Sabah — Home
- Slavia Prague — Away
The draw gives Arsenal another opportunity to measure themselves against some of Europe’s most decorated clubs.
Liverpool Draw Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan
Liverpool will face Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, alongside meetings with Porto, Club Brugge, Villarreal, Fenerbahce, Lens and LASK.
The Reds will host Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal and Lens, while travelling to Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and LASK.
Barcelona Face Man City and PSG
Barcelona have also been handed a difficult assignment.
The Catalan giants will host Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como, while travelling to PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray and Sabah.
Their two meetings with Manchester City and PSG are among the fixtures likely to attract the most attention.
Other Notable Draws
Atletico Madrid will face Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester United, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce, Bodo/Glimt, Viking and Stuttgart.
Manchester United will play Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Sporting CP, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Sabah and Como.
Aston Villa will face PSG, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague.
Borussia Dortmund will meet Inter Milan, Arsenal, Real Betis, Aston Villa, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, AEK Athens and Sabah.
Porto will face Manchester City, Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Real Betis, Napoli, Feyenoord, Slavia Prague and LASK.
How the New Champions League Format Works
The Champions League no longer uses the traditional four-team group stage.
Instead, all 36 participating clubs are placed into a single league table. Each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with two opponents coming from each of the four seeding pots. Each club plays four matches at home and four away.
The top eight teams in the league standings automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams finishing ninth to 24th enter a knockout play-off for the remaining Round of 16 places. (
UEFA’s draw regulations also prevent clubs from facing teams from their own domestic league and limit clubs to a maximum of two opponents from the same other association.
With heavyweight clashes already confirmed, the 2026/27 Champions League promises another season of high-profile European football, with Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, PSG, Barcelona, Liverpool and Bayern Munich among the clubs facing demanding league-phase campaigns.
The exact dates and kick-off times for the individual fixtures will be confirmed by UEFA following the draw.
