Breaking: UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Draw: Arsenal And Europe Elites Set For Thrilling Campaign.
Monaco – 28 August 2025 – The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase draw, held today at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, has unveiled an exciting set of fixtures for Arsenal Football Club and Europe’s elite. With 36 teams competing in the second season of the revamped “Swiss Model” format, the draw has delivered high-stakes matchups for the league phase, which begins on 16 September 2025.
Under the Swiss Model, all 36 teams are ranked in a single league table, each playing eight matches—four at home and four away—against opponents drawn from four seeding pots based on UEFA coefficients. Teams cannot face domestic rivals, and no club plays more than two sides from any single nation. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off in February 2026.
Arsenal’s Fixtures: A Blend of Giants and Newcomers
Arsenal, seeded in Pot 2, have been handed a challenging yet manageable set of fixtures:
– **Bayern Munich** (home): A blockbuster clash at the Emirates against the German giants, reigniting a historic Champions League rivalry.
– **Inter Milan** (away): A tough trip to face the 2024/25 runners-up, testing Arsenal’s mettle in Italy.
– **Atletico Madrid** (home): A tactical battle against Diego Simeone’s defensively astute side.
– **Club Brugge** (away): A winnable away fixture against the Belgian outfit, known for their European resilience.
– **Olympiacos** (home): A chance to dominate against the Greek side in North London.
– **Slavia Prague** (away): A tricky trip to the Czech Republic to face a team with recent European pedigree.
– **Kairat Almaty** (home): A historic matchup against the first Kazakhstani team in the league phase, offering a chance for points.
– **Athletic Club** (away): A stern test at San Mames against the passionate Basque side.
Arsenal’s draw balances marquee clashes with opportunities to secure vital points, positioning Mikel Arteta’s side to aim for a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the knockout rounds.
Premier League Representation and Key Matchups
Six English clubs—Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United—are in the competition, reflecting the Premier League’s strong UEFA coefficient. Notable fixtures for other English sides include:
– **Liverpool**: Facing Real Madrid, Juventus, Slavia Prague, and Kairat Almaty.
– **Manchester City**: Taking on PSG, Club Brugge, and Copenhagen.
– **Chelsea**: Drawn against Barcelona, Napoli, and debutants Pafos.
– **Tottenham Hotspur**: Up against Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Qarabag, and Bodo/Glimt.
– **Newcastle United**: Challenging Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP, Athletic Club, and Galatasaray.
Across Europe, defending champions PSG will face Manchester City, while Real Madrid take on Liverpool and Man City. Barcelona likewise face Chelsea. Newcomers like Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium), Pafos (Cyprus), and Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) add fresh twist, with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt also aiming to upset the established order.
Key Dates and Viewing Details
The league phase runs from 16 September 2025 to 28 January 2026, with matchdays on: 16–18 September, 30 September–1 October, 21–22 October, 4–5 November, 25–26 November, 9–10 December, 20–21 January, and 28 January. Knockout play-offs are scheduled for 17–25 February 2026, culminating in the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna on 30 May 2026.
UK fans can watch all matches on TNT Sports, with streaming on Discovery+ and UEFA.com. In the US, Paramount+ will broadcast the action. The draw, which began at 5:00 PM BST, also featured UEFA awards, adding to the event’s spectacle. While in Africa, DStv sport channels will broadcast all the actions.
Looking Ahead
With 144 matches and €2.5 billion in prize money at stake, the 2025/26 Champions League promises drama and excitement. Arsenal fans, vocal on X, are optimistic about their side’s chances, particularly relishing home games against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. As the Gunners prepare for their opening fixture, the draw has set the stage for a captivating European campaign, with Arteta’s men eager to make a mark on the continental stage.