The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league-phase draw has produced a series of blockbuster fixtures, with Arsenal handed a daunting meeting with Real Madrid, while Manchester City will face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish giants Barcelona.
The draw, held on Thursday, features 36 teams competing in the league phase, with several of Europe’s biggest clubs set for early-season clashes.
Arsenal handed Real Madrid, Bayern tests
Arsenal will face one of the toughest schedules in the competition after being paired with 15-time champions Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side will host Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah, while their away fixtures will take them to Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.
The meeting with Real Madrid is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the league phase, particularly after Arsenal’s run to last season’s Champions League final.
Liverpool draw Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan
Liverpool have also been handed a challenging schedule, including home and away meetings with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
The Reds will host Atletico, Porto, Villarreal and Lens, while travelling to Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and LASK.
The encounter with Atletico is expected to be one of Liverpool’s most demanding fixtures of the league phase.
Man City face PSG, Barcelona
Manchester City have arguably received one of the most difficult draws, with Pep Guardiola’s side set to face both PSG and Barcelona.
City will host PSG, while their meeting with Barcelona will take place in Spain.
The Premier League club will also welcome Sporting Club, Napoli and AEK Athens, with away trips scheduled against Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens.
The Barcelona fixture will also see City come up against former midfielder Rodri, who now plays for the Catalan giants.
PSG face Barcelona, Man City
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a formidable schedule as they begin their title defence.
Luis Enrique’s side will face Barcelona and Manchester City, alongside home fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa.
PSG will also travel to face Barcelona, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal and Como.
The French champions will be targeting a third consecutive Champions League title.
Barcelona handed tough schedule
Barcelona will also have to navigate a difficult league phase after being drawn against Manchester City and PSG.
The Catalan club will host Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como, while travelling to face PSG, Sporting Club, Galatasaray and Sabah.
Real Madrid face Arsenal, Inter
Real Madrid will begin their campaign with another demanding set of fixtures.
The Spanish giants will host Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig and LASK, while travelling to Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk and AEK Athens.
Their away trip to Arsenal promises to be one of the biggest attractions of the league phase.
Atletico Madrid meet Liverpool, Man United
Atletico Madrid will face Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Fenerbahce and Viking at home.
Diego Simeone’s team will travel to Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and Stuttgart.
Inter Milan draw Liverpool, Real Madrid
Inter Milan have also been handed two heavyweight opponents in Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The Italian side will host Liverpool, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk and Stuttgart, while travelling to face Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava.
Under the revamped Champions League format, each of the 36 clubs will play eight league-phase matches against eight different opponents, with four games at home and four away.
UEFA has also introduced a rule preventing clubs from hosting an opponent they faced at home in either of the previous two league-phase campaigns.
The regulation has implications for potential fixtures involving several clubs, including Liverpool, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Arsenal.
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