2025/26 Champions League draw: Liverpool vs Real Madrid and other must-watch league phase games

The UEFA Champions League is considered the pinnacle of club soccer and the draw for the league phase of the 2025/26 competition has shown why, with a number of mouthwatering fixtures to be played between Europe’s biggest names in the next few months.

UCL format change throws up blockbuster matchups

That, of course, was one of the main objectives of the expansion of the Champions League and the adoption of the 36-team Swiss model.

Under the previous format, the top-ranked teams in Pot 1 would avoid each other until the knockout stages. Now, though, each Pot 1 team plays against two-similarly ranked opponents, giving us a series of matchups between the strongest sides in the tournament.

This year, Real Madrid will take on Liverpool and Juventus on the road and Manchester City at home, while Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain and visit Chelsea in what are arguably the standout games.

PSG, meanwhile, welcome Bayern Munich to the French capital. The Bavarians also face Chelsea in Germany, while Liverpool have been drawn to take on Inter and Atlético as well as Real Madrid.

Mouthwatering games in 2025/26 Champions League league phase

PSG vs Bayern Munich

Barcelona vs PSG

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

Inter vs Liverpool

Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid

Chelsea vs Barcelona

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich

Inter vs Arsenal

Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid

Atlético Madrid vs Inter

Real Madrid vs Juventus

When will the games be played?

At present, we do not yet know exactly when the league phase fixtures will be played, or in which order. The full calendar for the opening round of the tournament will be released on Saturday, August 30.

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