August 29, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The stage is set for an exciting European campaign after the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League draw was conducted on Thursday, August 28, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
For the first time, the competition will adopt a 36-team league phase format. Each team will play eight matches against opponents from four different pots. The top eight teams will progress directly to the round of 16, while those finishing between 9th and 24th will battle in a knockout playoff to join them.
England will have six representatives in this season’s edition—Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United—each handed a mix of blockbuster ties and tricky assignments.
Liverpool will face European giants and familiar rivals, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, and Galatasaray.
Manchester City, the reigning champions, will take on Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Villarreal, Napoli, Bodo/Glimt, Galatasaray, and Monaco.
Arsenal are back in the competition with fixtures against Club Brugge, Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV, Sporting CP, Ajax, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Pafos.
Chelsea have been handed a challenging path, set to meet Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Pafos, and Qarabag.
Tottenham Hotspur will play Bayer Leverkusen, PSV, Olympiacos, Sporting CP, Bodo/Glimt, Marseille, Newcastle, and Kairat Almaty.
Newcastle United’s fixtures complete the English line-up, with fans eagerly awaiting their campaign after last season’s strong showing.
With heavyweight clashes on the horizon, English clubs will aim to make their mark in a revamped Champions League season that promises drama, intensity, and unforgettable nights under the European lights.
