The wait is over. The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League kicks off this week, and for the second year running we’ll be seeing the new “league phase” format in action. Gone are the predictable mini-groups – now 36 teams are drawn into one giant table and each side faces eight different opponents, four at home and four away. Every point matters.
The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the round of 16. Those who finish between 9th and 24th go into a playoff round, while the rest are eliminated. It means big games from the very first matchday – and Matchday 1 is stacked.
Fixtures this week are spread across three nights (Tuesday to Thursday) in an “exclusive Champions League week,” and there are some blockbuster ties right away.
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Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Tuesday 16th Sept – 20:00
Matchday 1 throws up a true heavyweight clash between two sides with rich European history. Juventus host Borussia Dortmund in Turin in what is a repeat of the 1997 Champions League final, a game BVB famously won to lift their first ever UCL title.
Both clubs arrive in good domestic form. Juve are unbeaten in Serie A, fresh from an extraordinary 4-3 Derby d’Italia win over Inter at the weekend. Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David have already struck up a promising partnership in attack, while Manuel Locatelli’s presence in midfield gives the Italians control. Dortmund, meanwhile, dispatched Heidenheim 2-0 in the Bundesliga and have looked solid defensively, keeping three clean sheets in four. Serhou Guirassy leads their line and Jobe Bellingham could make his first Champions League appearance, adding extra intrigue.
The Old Lady struggled badly in Europe last season, but home form has been reliable, while Dortmund have shown resilience on the road under Niko Kovac. With attacking quality all over the pitch and a little history between the sides, this one has all the ingredients of an early classic.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Wednesday 17th Sept – 20:00
It’s deja vu in Munich. Bayern and Chelsea, the teams who contested the unforgettable 2012 Champions League final, meet again at the Allianz Arena. Bayern enter this clash with their usual domestic dominance – three wins from three in the Bundesliga and Harry Kane already in red-hot form up front.
Vincent Kompany’s side are aiming to end a five-year wait to reach another Champions League final and have an extraordinary record of 34 games unbeaten at home in the league phase.
Chelsea return to the Champions League after a two-year absence but come armed with confidence after winning the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup earlier this year. Enzo Maresca has a youthful squad playing with energy, and Cole Palmer has been a standout figure, already creating and scoring in the Premier League.
This will be a huge test of Chelsea’s progress. Bayern rarely lose their opening UCL match, and the Allianz has been a fortress. But Chelsea have caused upsets here before and will draw belief from their 2012 triumph. Another meeting under the lights promises fireworks.
? Chelsea became champions of Europe #OTD in 2012! ?
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 19, 2021
? Who was your man of the match?@ChelseaFC | #UCL | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/XipVwaQPNm
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 17th Sept – 20:00
Liverpool’s Champions League return brings an immediate test against Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid. The Reds are defending Premier League champions and have made a perfect start to the new campaign under Arne Slot, though their knack of leaving it late has been remarkable – all four of their league wins so far have been secured with goals in the final 10 minutes. Mohamed Salah remains the talisman, but summer signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz will also hope to shine on the European stage.
Atletico arrive with their trademark grit. They endured a slow start in La Liga but steadied the ship with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal just before the international break. Simeone’s men are always a tough out in Europe, boasting one of the best defensive records in the competition across the past decade.
Liverpool’s record at Anfield in UEFA competition is formidable, with 14 straight wins at home and multiple goals in almost all of them. Atleti have troubled them before, famously knocking them out in 2020, but the Reds will back themselves to start with three points in front of a raucous Kop.
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Thursday 18th Sept – 20:00
The Champions League returns to St James’ Park in style as Newcastle United host Barcelona. It’s the Magpies’ first appearance in the competition since 2023, and Eddie Howe’s men couldn’t have asked for a more glamorous opponent. Newcastle warmed up with a much-needed Premier League win against Wolves, where new signing Nick Woltemade opened his account, and the Toon Army will expect another electric night under the lights.
Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive in strong domestic form. Hansi Flick’s side crushed Valencia 6-0 at the weekend and remain one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking teams. Robert Lewandowski continues to lead the line, while Raphinha has started the season brightly. However, the absence of Lamine Yamal, sidelined through injury, is a major blow.
The sides last met at St James’ Park in 1997, when Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick delivered a famous 3-2 Newcastle win. That history, combined with the Tyneside atmosphere, makes this a fixture dripping with narrative. Newcastle will be underdogs, but Barcelona’s recent patchy away form in Europe gives the hosts genuine hope.
? #OnThisDay in 1997, @TinoasprillaH scored a magical hat-trick in a 3-2 @ChampionsLeague win over @FCBarcelona at St. James' Park! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/xIngy5MJDa
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 17, 2017
Manchester City vs Napoli
Thursday 18th Sept – 20:00
Champions League drama arrives instantly at the Etihad as Manchester City host Napoli in one of Matchday 1’s standout fixtures. City endured disappointment in last year’s competition, failing to make it past the playoff stage, but Pep Guardiola’s side are targeting a return to the summit they last reached in 2023. They head into this week still a little inconsistent in the Premier League but boasting Erling Haaland, who has nine goals in his last four games for club and country.
Napoli, meanwhile, are Serie A champions and arrive with a familiar face. Kevin De Bruyne, who left City in the summer after a decade of service, returns to Manchester in Napoli colours. Alongside him is Scott McTominay, the former Manchester United midfielder who was named Serie A’s Player of the Season last year. Under Antonio Conte, Napoli have won three from three in the league and look as sharp as ever.
This is a fascinating clash of styles and storylines – Guardiola’s new-look City against Conte’s rugged Napoli. The De Bruyne subplot makes it even more compelling, and all eyes will be on how the Etihad reacts to the return of one of its greatest heroes.
The Champions League’s new league phase ensures big fixtures right from the start, and Matchday 1 promises fireworks. Get your bets in early here with Bet9ja!
