The UEFA Champions League returns this week with Matchday One of the 2026/27 league phase serving up a host of exciting fixtures across Europe.
From defending giants Real Madrid to Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, fans can expect three nights of high-quality football as clubs begin their quest for European glory.
Champions League Matchday One
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
Real Madrid host Inter Milan in one of Matchday One’s standout fixtures at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish giants begin their latest quest for a record-extending Champions League title against the Italian champions, who will be looking to make an early statement in the competition.
The match also features Kylian Mbappe, who enters the campaign just one goal behind Raul on the tournament’s all-time scoring charts.
He also enters the new campaign as the defending Champions League Golden Boot winner after scoring a competition-high 15 goals last season.
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Both sides are considered among the strongest contenders for the knockout stages, making this an early test of their credentials.
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign at Anfield against Atletico Madrid in one of Matchday One’s most intriguing fixtures.
The Reds have reached the top three of the league phase standings in each of the first two seasons under the new format and will be looking for another strong start.
Atletico, meanwhile, boast one of Europe’s most experienced squads and have added firepower through Julián Álvarez, who finished among last season’s top Champions League scorers with 10 goals. Liverpool won the teams’ last Matchday One meeting thanks to a stoppage-time Virgil van Dijk goal
Napoli vs Arsenal
Arsenal open their Champions League campaign with a difficult trip to Napoli, one of the standout fixtures of Matchday One. Mikel Arteta’s side reached last season’s final and will be aiming to go one step further this term.
Napoli, meanwhile, have made the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona a difficult venue for visiting teams and will be eager to begin their European campaign with a statement result.
The fixture also features two of Europe’s most exciting attacking sides, making it one of the most anticipated matches of the opening round.
Porto vs Manchester City
Manchester City begin their latest Champions League campaign with a challenging trip to Porto, a club renowned for producing strong performances at home in European competition.
City will once again look to Erling Haaland, who scored eight Champions League goals last season despite the club’s quarter-final exit. Porto, meanwhile, are aiming to make a strong start against one of the tournament favourites.
Barcelona vs Feyenoord
Barcelona launch their Champions League campaign at home against Feyenoord, a side that has consistently punched above its weight in European competition.
The Catalan giants will rely on young stars such as Lamine Yamal, who scored six Champions League goals last season, while Feyenoord arrive looking to cause an early upset.
Manchester United vs Sabah
Manchester United begin their European campaign against Azerbaijani side Sabah, one of the surprise packages in this season’s competition.
Sabah reached the league phase after overcoming Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the play-offs, securing a historic place among Europe’s elite.
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United will be expected to take all three points at Old Trafford, but the visitors have already shown they can compete under pressure.
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
Borussia Dortmund host Villarreal in a meeting between two clubs that have built reputations as dangerous opponents in European competition.
Dortmund reached the latter stages of the Champions League in recent seasons and will be counting on home support to begin with three points.
Villarreal, meanwhile, have a strong pedigree in UEFA competitions and are capable of troubling any side on their day.
Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
Sporting CP and Galatasaray meet in a fixture featuring two clubs that impressed in Europe last season.
Sporting reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League before suffering a narrow aggregate defeat to Arsenal, matching the club’s best run in the competition.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, arrive with one of the tournament’s most exciting attacks, led by Victor Osimhen, who scored seven Champions League goals last season.
Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt
Bayern Munich begin their Champions League campaign at home against Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt.
The German giants are among the favourites to lift the trophy and will be looking to make an immediate impact after Harry Kane finished last season as the competition’s second-highest scorer with 14 goals.
Bodø/Glimt, meanwhile, have earned a reputation for upsetting bigger clubs in Europe and reached the league phase after another impressive domestic campaign.
Fenerbahce vs Roma
Fenerbahce host Roma in one of Thursday’s most intriguing Matchday One fixtures.
The Turkish side secured their place in the league phase after overcoming Lyon in the play-offs, while Roma enter the competition aiming to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite.
Both clubs boast passionate fan bases and strong European pedigrees, making this a potentially explosive encounter.
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