UEFA Reveals Champions League Fixtures: Chelsea vs Barcelona, Arsenal vs Bayern

UEFA has unveiled the complete schedule for the 2025/26 Champions League group stage, setting the stage for thrilling encounters featuring Europe’s top clubs. The release follows the draw held on Thursday, 28 August 2025, which determined the matchups under the new league-phase format.

One of the most anticipated fixtures will see Chelsea host Barcelona on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, at 21:00 CET in Matchday 5. On the same matchday, Arsenal will take on Bayern Munich at 21:00 CET.

In the opening round, Bayern Munich will welcome Chelsea to the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, in a repeat of their iconic 2012 Champions League final, where Chelsea triumphed on penalties. On Matchday 2, Barcelona will face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be another exciting clash on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.

Matchday 4 brings another heavyweight contest as Paris Saint-Germain hosts Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 5 November. Meanwhile, Liverpool will renew their rivalry with Real Madrid at Anfield, with kick-off set for 21:00 CET.

The 2025/26 Champions League is being played under UEFA’s new “league-phase” format, where all 36 teams are placed in a single table and play eight different opponents—four at home and four away. The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16, while teams finishing between 9th and 24th will compete in a play-off round for a spot in the knockout stages.

Here are some of the opening fixtures (kick-offs at 1900 GMT unless noted):

Tuesday, 16 September

• Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Arsenal (ENG) (1645 GMT)
• PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) (1645 GMT)
• Juventus (ITA) v Borussia Dortmund (GER)
• Real Madrid (ESP) v Marseille (FRA)
• Benfica (POR) v Qarabag (AZE)
• Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) v Villarreal (ESP)

Wednesday, 17 September

• Olympiacos (GRE) v Pafos (CYP) (1645 GMT)
• Slavia Prague (CZE) v Bodo/Glimt (NOR) (1645 GMT)
• Ajax (NED) v Inter Milan (ITA)
• Bayern Munich (GER) v Chelsea (ENG)
• Liverpool (ENG) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
• Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) v Atalanta (ITA)

Thursday, 18 September

• Club Brugge (BEL) v Monaco (FRA) (1645 GMT)
• FC Copenhagen (DEN) v Bayer Leverkusen (GER) (1645 GMT)
• Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) v Galatasaray (TUR)
• Manchester City (ENG) v Napoli (ITA)
• Newcastle United (ENG) v Barcelona (ESP)
• Sporting (POR) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ)