Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have a tough group stage ahead in this season’s UEFA Champions League. They will play eight matches, including against Barcelona, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, after the draw on Thursday.
PSG, who won their second straight title in May by defeating Arsenal on penalties, will host Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray, and Slovan Bratislava. They also face trips to England to play Manchester City and Aston Villa, which they’ve beaten before in 2025 when they first won the league.
The French champions will travel to Spain to face Villarreal and Italy to meet Como, coached by former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Group stage matches start on September 8-10 and continue through January. The final group games are set for late January, with UEFA releasing the full schedule soon.
Arsenal, last season’s runners-up, will face Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, and Azerbaijan’s Sabah. They also have tough away games against Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli, and Slavia Prague.
Liverpool, under manager Andoni Iraola, will host Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal, and Lens, while playing Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, and LASK away. Manchester United, despite not being top seeds, face Bayern Munich, Roma, RB Leipzig, and Sabah at home, plus difficult away games against Atletico, Sporting CP, Villarreal, and Como.
Notable fixtures include Man City visiting Barcelona and Real Madrid hosting Inter Milan. Villa must travel to Barcelona and play Dortmund at home, while facing Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Newcomers this season include Serie A’s Como and Sabah, plus LASK from Austria. Viking of Norway is also in the competition for the first time since 2008/09 after beating Lyon in qualifiers.
This is the third season under the new format with 36 teams in one group stage, each playing eight games. The final will be held at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium on June 5, 2027.