Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a return to Anfield after leaving Liverpool for the Spanish giants this summer.
Liverpool and Manchester City have been handed blockbuster clashes against 15-time winners Real Madrid in the Champions League league phase. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also face a tough challenge as they prepare to meet reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
This season marks the first time six Premier League clubs are playing in the expanded 36-team league. However, under the new format, English sides cannot face each other until the knockout rounds.
Liverpool Face Tough European Challenge
Liverpool will welcome Real Madrid to Anfield in a fixture full of history. The Reds, six-time winners, also face Atletico Madrid, beaten finalists Inter Milan, and Bundesliga giants Eintracht Frankfurt. Other opponents include PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Qarabag, and Galatasaray.
New manager Arne Slot will hope to guide Liverpool through one of the toughest group schedules. Their meetings with Real, Atletico, and Inter promise classic European nights.
Manchester City’s Road to Defending Their Crown
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City also face a daunting path. Along with Real Madrid, the defending Premier League champions take on Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, and Villarreal. They also play Galatasaray, Bodo/Glimt, and Monaco.
The clash with Napoli at the Etihad is expected to be special as Kevin De Bruyne faces the Italian champions. City’s depth and experience could prove vital in navigating this tricky draw.
Chelsea and Arsenal Face European Heavyweights
Chelsea must overcome a star-studded lineup of opponents, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich. They will also face Benfica, Ajax, Atalanta, Napoli, Qarabag, and David Luiz’s new club Pafos.
Arsenal’s draw looks balanced. The Gunners meet Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid, but also face lower-ranked sides like Slavia Prague, Kairat Almaty, and Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta’s side may see their chances boosted by avoiding too many top-seeded rivals.
Tottenham and Newcastle Return with High Stakes
Tottenham, who booked their place by winning the Europa League, will battle PSG, Dortmund, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Monaco, Copenhagen, Slavia Prague, and Bodo/Glimt. Their clash with PSG could define their campaign.
Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League has brought glamour fixtures to St James’ Park. Barcelona and PSG will visit Tyneside, while the Magpies also play Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV, Marseille, Athletic Bilbao, and Union SG.
Who Got the Toughest Champions League Draw?
According to UEFA’s coefficient rankings, PSV Eindhoven have the hardest schedule. They must face Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City and Liverpool also face tough paths due to Real Madrid and other top opponents. In contrast, Atalanta have one of the most favourable line-ups, avoiding many of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham may feel satisfied. Despite facing Bayern and Inter, they avoided additional heavyweight rivals like Leverkusen and Napoli.
Champions League Format Explained
Each of the 36 teams will play eight matches – four at home and four away. The top eight clubs in the league phase advance directly to the Round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to 24th will fight in two-legged play-offs for the remaining spots.
Any side finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated without a Europa League fallback.
Last year, Liverpool topped the table, while Arsenal and Aston Villa also made the top eight. Manchester City and Newcastle reached the play-offs.
Key Dates and Final Venue
The first round of fixtures kicks off on Tuesday, 16 September. The league phase will conclude on 28 January 2026.
This season’s final will be staged in Budapest, promising another unforgettable climax to Europe’s premier club competition.
