The wait is over as the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League gets underway on Tuesday, September 8, with Europe’s top clubs beginning their campaigns in the revamped 36-team league phase.
Unlike the old group-stage format, every team will play eight league-phase matches against different opponents, with the results determining who advances to the knockout rounds. The opening matchday will run from Tuesday to Thursday, with 18 fixtures scheduled across the three days.
Several eye-catching encounters headline the opening round, including Real Madrid vs Inter Milan, Porto vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid and Napoli vs Arsenal.
Here are 10 matches expected to attract plenty of attention:
1. Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Real Madrid begin their European campaign at the Santiago Bernabéu against Inter Milan on Tuesday night. José Mourinho’s side will be looking to make a strong start, while Inter will hope to leave Madrid with a positive result. The match kicks off at 9pm CEST.
2. Porto vs Manchester City
Manchester City face a difficult opening assignment away to Porto. The Portuguese giants will be hoping home advantage can help them frustrate Pep Guardiola’s side in what promises to be one of Tuesday’s biggest contests.
3. Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
Dortmund welcome Villarreal in another intriguing clash. Both sides will see the opening fixture as an opportunity to collect valuable points early in the league phase.
4. Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa begin their European campaign away to Club Brugge. The Belgian side will be looking to make the most of home advantage against an ambitious Villa team.
5. Barcelona vs Feyenoord
Barcelona enter the competition on Wednesday when they host Feyenoord. The Spanish giants will be expected to make a statement in their opening game, although Feyenoord will be determined to make the occasion uncomfortable for the hosts.
6. Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool face one of the most competitive opponents on Wednesday when Atletico Madrid visit Anfield. The fixture brings together two clubs with considerable Champions League experience and should provide an early test for both sides.
7. Napoli vs Arsenal
Arsenal travel to Italy to face Napoli in one of Wednesday’s standout fixtures. With both clubs expected to challenge strongly in the competition, the encounter could provide an early indication of their European ambitions.
8. Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava
Defending European ambitions will be high when Paris Saint-Germain begin their campaign against Slovan Bratislava. PSG will be expected to control the contest, but Slovan will have the chance to produce one of the opening matchday’s surprises.
9. Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
Sporting CP host Galatasaray on Wednesday in a fixture that could be much closer than it appears on paper. Both clubs have passionate supporters and will be eager to begin the league phase with three points.
10. Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt
Bayern Munich open their campaign against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday. The German giants will enter as favourites, but Bodø/Glimt have developed a reputation for making European matches difficult for more established opponents.
With heavyweight clubs meeting from the very first round, the opening matchday offers plenty of storylines before the long road to the Champions League final begins.
The league phase will continue until January 27, 2027, before the competition moves into its knockout stages.
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