In an exciting turn of events for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, both Liverpool and Manchester City have been drawn to face the formidable Real Madrid in the league phase. This season marks the introduction of a new 36-team league format, allowing for a more dynamic competition featuring six Premier League teams, which cannot compete against each other until the knockout stages.

Liverpool's fixtures will include high-profile matches against Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, in addition to their games against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Manchester City will also contend with Borussia Dortmund and Napoli, alongside their encounters with the reigning champions from Spain. The draws set the stage for some electric matchups, particularly as Liverpool prepares for a return to Anfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who recently transferred to Real Madrid.

Chelsea and Arsenal have similarly tough matchups, with Chelsea facing both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Arsenal will also contend with Bayern and Inter Milan. Tottenham and Newcastle are set to play against Paris Saint-Germain, further adding to the competitive nature of this year's tournament.

The league phase will unfold over the coming months, with matches kicking off on September 16 and concluding with the last round on January 28, 2026. The top eight teams in the league phase will secure spots in the knockout rounds, while those finishing in positions ninth to 24th will enter a playoff for a chance to qualify for the round of 16.

As the excitement builds for the Champions League, fans can look forward to a thrilling array of fixtures featuring Europe's elite clubs battling for glory in one of football's most prestigious tournaments.