Champions League Draw Pits English Giants Against Real Madrid
The Champions League draw has been made, and it’s set up some blockbuster fixtures that football fans will be eagerly circling on their calendars. For supporters of English clubs, there’s a big headline: both Liverpool and Manchester City have been drawn against 15-time champions Real Madrid. That alone promises high drama, with plenty of storylines woven into the matchups.
For Liverpool, this draw carries extra spice. Not only will they host Real at Anfield, but the match will see a familiar face return — Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left Liverpool this summer to join the Spanish giants. That reunion is bound to stir emotions. But Liverpool’s challenges don’t stop there. They’ll also meet Atletico Madrid and last season’s finalists Inter Milan, along with tough trips to Frankfurt, Marseille, and Galatasaray. In total, eight games await them in this league phase, and none look like an easy ride.
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Manchester City’s path is equally demanding. Pep Guardiola’s side will clash with Real Madrid once again, a matchup that has produced some unforgettable moments in recent years. City will also take on Napoli, which adds another emotional twist, since Kevin De Bruyne will be making his return to the Etihad — but this time wearing Napoli’s colors. Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Monaco round out their list of opponents, ensuring the Premier League champions have no shortage of stern tests.
Elsewhere, Chelsea face a daunting slate of games, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Benfica all on their list. Arsenal too have tough assignments, including Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich and a tricky trip to Inter Milan. For Tottenham, who qualified by winning the Europa League, the draw handed them holders Paris Saint-Germain along with Dortmund and Monaco. Newcastle, making their return to the Champions League, will see some huge nights at St James’ Park with Barcelona and PSG both visiting.
This is the second season under UEFA’s new league phase format, featuring 36 teams each playing eight games — four home and four away — against different opponents. The top eight will progress directly to the round of 16, while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will battle it out in a knockout play-off. Anything lower than that, and the journey ends there — no drop into the Europa League anymore.
The first games kick off on Tuesday, September 16, with the final round scheduled for January 28, 2026. The grand finale will then be staged in Budapest. With heavyweight clashes lined up from the very first round, this season already feels like one that will deliver drama at every turn. Whether it’s reunions, long-haul trips, or rematches of famous finals, the Champions League has once again set the stage for unforgettable football nights.
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