The Champions League draw has produced several high-profile clashes, including a potential return to Anfield for Trent Alexander-Arnold as Real Madrid faces Liverpool. PSG will contend with Bayern Munich and Barcelona, while Inter is set to face Liverpool, Dortmund, and Arsenal. Chelsea will play Barcelona, and Man City’s group includes Real Madrid and Dortmund. The group stage promises thrilling encounters and significant challenges for Europe’s top clubs.
The Champions League draw has delivered a series of tantalizing matchups, with Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially set for an emotional return to Anfield as Real Madrid clashes with Liverpool in the league phase. This season's revamped format promises intense competition, as each team faces two opponents from each of the four pots, both at home and away, ensuring a balanced and challenging group stage.
Real Madrid's showdown with Liverpool is a rematch of last season's encounter, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2-0 win. Adding to the intrigue, Xabi Alonso's side is set to renew its rivalry against Manchester City, creating a captivating subplot within the group stage drama. The draw has set the stage for some classic European nights and potentially season defining moments.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain face a daunting challenge, having been drawn into a group that includes Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Tottenham. PSG will host Bayern Munich, Atalanta, and Newcastle, while their travels will take them to Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, and Europa League winners Tottenham. This formidable schedule will test PSG's mettle and their aspirations to retain the Champions League title.
Inter, the 2025 finalists, also face a challenging path. They are preparing for fixtures against Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Atletico Madrid. This gauntlet of top European clubs will demand the best from Inter as they seek to replicate their success from the previous season and mount another serious challenge for the trophy. Their mettle will surely be tested against some of Europe's elite teams.
Chelsea, the Club World Cup champions, will mark their return to Europe's elite competition with a high-profile home game against Barcelona. Additionally, they face Bayern Munich and a reunion with former boss Antonio Conte's Napoli on the road. Chelsea's campaign promises to be filled with emotional reunions and tough tests as they navigate their way through the group stage. Their return to the Champions League is one of the competition's most anticipated storylines.
Manchester City's journey includes a trip to the Bernabeu, alongside potential stumbling blocks in the form of Dortmund, Leverkusen, Napoli, and Galatasaray. These fixtures present a complex challenge for City as they balance domestic ambitions with their pursuit of European glory. No doubt their manager will have to tactically navigate the group stage in order to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will face Bayern Munich and Inter from pot one, while Champions League debutants Kairat Almaty will visit the Emirates Stadium. This mix of established giants and fresh faces adds an element of unpredictability to Arsenal's group, making for an exciting campaign as they look to make a statement on their return to the Champions League.
The exact dates for these fixtures will be confirmed on Saturday, with the opening set of matches scheduled between September 16 and 18. The competition will intensify as five more rounds take place in 2025 before the final set of games occurring at the same time on January 28, 2026.
Home and away opponents for Pot 1 teams #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/mWi7lwxw3I
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 28, 2025
Champions League key fixtures for Pot One teams:
PSG: Bayern, Barcelona, Leverkusen, Atalanta, Tottenham
Real: Man City, Liverpool, Juventus, Monaco
Man City: Real, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Napoli
Bayern: Chelsea, PSG, Arsenal, PSV
Liverpool: Real, Inter, Atletico, Galatasaray
Inter: Liverpool, Dortmund, Arsenal, Atletico
Chelsea: Barcelona, Bayern, Napoli, Atalanta
Dortmund: Inter, Man City, Juventus, Villarreal
Barcelona: PSG, Chelsea, Newcastle, Olympiacos