It’s Manchester City vs Real Madrid again which means the UEFA Champions League is back. And the 2025/26 draw has given us drama right from the start.
Blockbuster fixtures, emotional reunions, and some brutal groups. This season feels like it has everything.
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase Draw Recap
✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 1 teams 🏠✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/mWi7lwxw3I
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 28, 2025
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Trent Returns to Anfield
Few ties carry as much weight as Liverpool vs Real Madrid. Last year, the Reds stunned the 2024 champions with a 2–0 win. This time, it’s even bigger.
Trent Alexander-Arnold comes back to Anfield. But not in red. He’ll wear the white of Real Madrid.
Manager Arne Slot called it “something special.” Fans know it’s more than that. It’s a story of loyalty, heartbreak, and a clash of giants.
Liverpool’s group is brutal. Along with Madrid, they face Atletico, Inter, Marseille, Frankfurt, PSV, Qarabag, and a trip to Galatasaray.
Redemption won’t come easy after last season’s exit to PSG.
Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Again!
Manchester City always seem to cross paths with Real Madrid. This year is no different. Pep’s men travel to the Bernabeu once again.
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But there’s another twist. Kevin De Bruyne is back at the Etihad. Only this time, he’ll play for Napoli.
The Belgian legend left City in June after ten years. Expect a standing ovation, maybe even a few tears.
City’s group also features Dortmund, Villarreal, Monaco, Bodo/Glimt, and Galatasaray. It’s a tough draw, but Pep’s side still carries the swagger of champions.
PSG Draw Bayern and Barcelona
Defending champions PSG will have to fight hard to stay on top. Luis Enrique’s men are paired with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.That’s as heavy as it gets.
Bayern bring power. Barca bring history and revenge. Add Atalanta, Leverkusen, Spurs, Sporting, Newcastle, and Bilbao, and PSG’s path looks like chaos.
Mbappé may be gone, but PSG know how to grind in Europe. Still, their title defence faces an early storm.
Real Madrid: Alonso’s New Era
Xabi Alonso is now in charge of Real Madrid. And his first Champions League campaign looks loaded with stories.
🔀 These are the four pots for the @ChampionsLeague league phase draw!
⚽ @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/Uuc1x0861x— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 28, 2025
Trips to Anfield. Home ties with Manchester City. Games against Juventus, Benfica, Marseille, Monaco, Olympiakos, and even Kairat Almaty.
For Alonso, it’s a huge test.He must blend youthful energy with Madrid’s ruthless European DNA.
The Santiago Bernabeu will expect nothing less than domination. Some Madridistas are already saying A Por La 16. (bring on the 16th)
Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle: Mixed Fortunes
English clubs have plenty to chew on.
Arsenal meet Bayern at home and Inter away. Atletico, Bilbao, Olympiakos, and Kairat make up the rest.It’s tricky, but Arteta’s side already proved last year they can go deep.
Chelsea get Barcelona at the Bridge. Bayern, Napoli, Atalanta, and minnows Pafos of Cyprus complete their group.For Pafos, that trip to Stamford Bridge is a dream. For Chelsea, it’s all about proving they belong back among Europe’s elite.
Tottenham travel to PSG and also face Dortmund, Villarreal, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen
Newcastle draw Barcelona, PSG, Leverkusen, Marseille, PSV, Bilbao, and Union Saint-Gilloise.
For the Toon Army, it’s another rollercoaster. St James’ Park will be electric.
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Stage Fixtures for Big Clubs
FC Barcelona (ESP)
- Home (H): Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympiakos, FC Copenhagen
- Away (A): Chelsea, Club Brugge, Slavia Prague, Newcastle
Real Madrid (ESP)
- Home (H): Manchester City, Juventus, Marseille, Monaco
- Away (A): Liverpool, Benfica, Olympiakos, Kairat Almaty
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
- Home (H): Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Tottenham, Newcastle
- Away (A): Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, Athletic Bilbao
Manchester City (ENG)
- Home (H): Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli, Galatasaray
- Away (A): Real Madrid, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, Monaco
Liverpool (ENG)
- Home (H): Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Qarabag
- Away (A): Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Marseille, Galatasaray
Chelsea (ENG)
- Home (H): Barcelona, Benfica, Ajax, Pafos
- Away (A): Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Napoli, Qarabag
Arsenal (ENG)
- Home (H): Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Olympiakos, Kairat Almaty
- Away (A): Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Slavia Prague, Athletic Bilbao
Bayern Munich (GER)
- Home (H): Chelsea, Club Brugge, Sporting Lisbon, Union Saint-Gilloise
- Away (A): Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Pafos
Key UEFA Champions League Fixtures
Some ties stand out immediately:
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid – Trent returns home.
- Man City vs Napoli – De Bruyne’s emotional reunion.
- PSG vs Barcelona – revenge, history, and fireworks.
- Arsenal vs Bayern – Arteta’s men face a giant.
- Chelsea vs Barcelona – a classic reborn.
This season feels like it could be one of the most unpredictable ever.
Conclusion
The Champions League 2025/26 isn’t just about goals. It’s about stories, reunions, and rivalries.
From Trent’s return to Anfield, to De Bruyne’s emotional night at the Etihad, to PSG’s gauntlet of giants — this season promises drama every week.
And that’s exactly why we love Europe’s biggest stage.
