Chelsea face tough trip to Bayern Munich and Newcastle host Barcelona in opening week as Champions League fixtures announced

The Champions League kicks off on September 16, and all eyes will be on the opening week’s action. Chelsea's quest to advance through the group stage gets even tougher later in the year, as they welcome Barcelona to Stamford Bridge on November 25. This clash with the Spanish heavyweights is set to be one of the marquee matches of the group phase. 

Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions begin at Anfield with a testing encounter against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid on September 17. Their early fixtures also include a showdown with Real Madrid on November 4 on matchday four. Meanwhile, the record fifteen-time champions will start their campaign against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 16. 

Manchester City begin their campaign with a crucial match against Napoli on September 18 at the Etihad Stadium. However, the real test will come on December 10 when City travel to face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Arsenal are also set for a thrilling European campaign. Their first group-stage match will take place in Spain, where they will face Athletic Club on September 16. Whereas Tottenham face an intriguing match against Villarreal in their group opener on the same day. Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will play Atalanta in their opening game on September 17 at the Parc des Princes. 

Tuesday 16 September 2025
Athletic Club vs Arsenal
PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Marseille
Benfica vs Qarabağ
Tottenham vs Villarreal

Wednesday 17 September 2025
Olympiacos vs Pafos
Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt
Ajax vs Inter
Bayern München vs Chelsea
Liverpool vs Atlético de Madrid
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta

Thursday 18 September 2025
Club Brugge vs Monaco
Copenhagen vs Leverkusen
Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
Manchester City vs Napoli
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty

The top eight teams will directly seal a last-16 berth, whereas the next 16 teams will have to participate in a playoff. The final match day on January 28 will see all 36 teams in action simultaneously.