The 2025-26 Champions League draw has set up an enticing first round of what is widely regarded as soccer’s biggest tournament for club sides.
The giants of the European game all found out who they’ll be playing in the League Stage, a first round that will sort all 36 participating teams in one giant set of standings. Every team will play eight games (four at home, four away), with the top 24 sides advancing to the knockout rounds.
Teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich have been joined by no fewer than six clubs from the English Premier League, a tournament record for one nation made possible by Tottenham’s victory in last season’s Europa League. For Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea, advancement is a prerequisite, while Spurs and Newcastle will be hoping to do the same.
Thursday’s event in Monaco did not set a schedule, but rather paired teams up and dictated hosts for each game. Per UEFA, the final Champions League schedule will be released no later than Saturday, August 30, with the confederation saying that it wants to ensure that there aren’t conflicting games in the Champions League and its other two major club tournaments, the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Now that we know the matchups, here are 10 games in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League’s first round that you can’t miss:
UEFA Champions League schedule: 10 must-watch games
Thursday’s UEFA Champions League draw set up the matchups for the League Stage, during which each team will play eight games. However, the schedule was not set in stone, with UEFA planning to announce the full slate of times and dates no later than Saturday, August 30.
Regardless, there are 10 games that jump out for various reasons as must-watch material. In alphabetical order based on the host team, here are the games you should clear your schedule for:
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
This is a high-stakes game, particularly for Bayern (who will also have to play difficult road games at Paris Saint-Germain and PSV).
For Arsenal, this is a serious test over whether they’re ready to take a step up from simply being a contender to win things, as Mikel Arteta’s side hasn’t lifted a major trophy since the 2019-20 FA Cup. A win over Bayern would be a statement, but they’ll have to deal with longtime foe Harry Kane (an ex-Tottenham star now leading the line for the German power).
Atlético Madrid vs. Inter Milan
These are two clubs with big ambitions, but also sides that rely on emotion to power them through on the biggest occasions. U.S. men’s national team midfielder Johnny Cardoso, who joined Atléti this summer, could be in line for a major test if he can keep ahold of a starting job under demanding manager Diego Simeone.
Expect fireworks.
Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Two of Europe’s bluebloods will meet … somewhere in Spain. Barça’s legendary home at Camp Nou is undergoing a massive renovation, and despite club officials spending over a year talking a big game about playing this season there, permits to play games there have not been approved.
Regardless, Barcelona vs. PSG is blockbuster stuff wherever you stage it, and this could be one of the games of the season.
Bodø/Glimt vs. Manchester City
On paper this is a huge mismatch: Man City is one of Europe’s wealthiest clubs, and Bodø/Glimt is the first team from Norway to qualify for the Champions League main stage in 17 seasons.
However, Bodø/Glimt made an incredible Cinderella run to the semifinals of last year’s Europa League, and are the northernmost club to ever qualify for the Champions League. Man City’s trip to the 8,270-seat Aspmyra Stadion will be a special occasion, but Pep Guardiola’s side cannot expect an easy win in the Arctic Circle.
Chelsea vs. Pafos FC
Chelsea will welcome Pafos — a first-time qualifier, and just the fourth Cypriot team to ever enter the Champions League proper — as massive favorites.
However, what makes this game interesting is that it will mark the return of cult figure David Luiz, who spent six seasons at Chelsea gracing Blues fans with his … let’s say, unique approach to defensive play. Fans may be shocked to hear this, but the 38-year-old is still playing, having signed with Pafos earlier this month.
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund
This rematch of the 1996-97 Champions League final (won 3-1 by Dortmund) should feature USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie in familiar territory. The Texas native began his European career at Dortmund’s archrival Schalke 04, and would likely enjoy putting one over on Die Schwarzgelben.
Beyond that, this figures to be a battle between two of Europe’s most well-supported clubs, and a game that both teams may end up needing in this tournament’s highly competitive ‘Swiss Model’ system.
Kairat Almaty vs. Real Madrid
Mighty Real Madrid will have to travel 3,986 miles to Almaty to face Kairat, the defending champions from the Kazakhstan Premier League.
Kairat is the easternmost team to ever qualify for the Champions League, and while Real Madrid will be expected to pile on the goals in this one, this may be the longest away day in tournament history. The longest prior trip that USA TODAY Sports could identify came in 2015, when Portuguese giants Benfica traveled to face FC Astana, the only other Kazakh club to qualify for the Champions League. However, that trip was around 156 miles shorter.
Liverpool vs. PSV
There’s a certain old-school charm to Liverpool and PSV, two clubs with huge support who are back competing at the top of the game in Europe. PSV may enter as underdogs, but their recent exploits in continental play point to this being a good match.
For USMNT fans, seeing PSV’s Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi potentially test themselves in the world’s best competition, on the road against the Premier League champions at a legendary venue like Anfield will be a treat.
Marseille vs. Newcastle
Speaking of the USMNT, winger Tim Weah and Marseille will host Newcastle in a game between two teams that realistically will be battling for the final openings to advance to the knockout stages.
Marseille and Newcastle both have well-earned reputations for fan support in their respective countries, and this match will take place at the Stade Vélodrome, one of the sport’s true cauldrons. With both sides missing the Champions League more often than not, expect everyone involved to put it all on the line.
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
Beyond pairing two of Europe’s biggest clubs, who can both call on absolute superstars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, this game is a rematch of a quarterfinal epic from two seasons ago. During the 2023-24 competition, these sides battled to a 4-4 aggregate scoreline, with Real Madrid advancing on penalties. The teams also met in last year’s knockout round playoffs, a 6-3 aggregate win for Real Madrid.
After a disappointing 2024-25 season in England, Man City could scarcely offer a bigger reminder of what they’re capable of than going to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and claiming three points.
Champions League first round schedule 2025-26
League stage
Matchday 1: Sept. 16-18
Matchday 2: Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Matchday 3: Oct. 21-22
Matchday 4: Nov. 4-5
Matchday 5: Nov. 25-26
Matchday 6: Dec. 9-10
Matchday 7: Jan. 20-21, 2026
Matchday 8: Jan. 28, 2026
How to watch UEFA Champions League
The CBS family of networks will broadcast the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League from start to finish. While a full schedule was not settled at the time of publication, matches throughout the tournament (including a live ‘whiparound’ show jumping to the most exciting games and goal highlights) will be on Paramount+.
Watch the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League on Paramount+