Arsenal have been drawn against Real Madrid in one of the biggest fixtures of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona and Manchester City in another heavyweight set of encounters.
The 36-team league phase draw, held on Thursday, produced several high-profile matchups involving some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Arsenal face Real Madrid, Bayern
Arsenal, who reached last season’s Champions League final, were handed a demanding schedule that includes a home clash with Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta’s side will also host Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah, while travelling to face Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.
The meeting with Real Madrid is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the league phase.
Liverpool handed Atletico, Inter tests
Liverpool will also face strong opposition, with Atletico Madrid visiting Anfield and the Reds travelling to Inter Milan.
Arne Slot’s side will host Porto and Villarreal, while their away fixtures also include Club Brugge and Fenerbahce.
They will complete their schedule with a home game against Lens and an away trip to LASK.
Man City drawn against PSG, Barcelona
Manchester City face perhaps the toughest assignment of the draw, with Pep Guardiola’s team scheduled to play both Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
City will host PSG, while they will travel to Spain to meet Barcelona.
Their other fixtures include home games against Sporting Club and Napoli, alongside away matches against Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens. AEK Athens will also visit the Etihad Stadium.
The Barcelona fixture will see City reunite with former midfielder Rodri, who now plays for the Catalan giants.
PSG begin title defence against giants
Champions PSG have been handed a formidable schedule as they begin their defence of the trophy.
Luis Enrique’s team will face Barcelona and Manchester City, while Roma and Aston Villa will also provide stern tests.
Their away assignments include Manchester City, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal and Como.
PSG will be targeting a third successive Champions League title.
Barcelona face City, PSG
Barcelona will host Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Como, while travelling to face PSG, Sporting Club, Galatasaray and Sabah.
Real Madrid’s schedule
Real Madrid will host Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig and LASK.
The Spanish giants will travel to Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk and AEK Athens.
Atletico Madrid meet Liverpool, Man United
Atletico Madrid will host Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Fenerbahce and Viking.
They will travel to Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and Stuttgart.
Inter face Liverpool, Real Madrid
Inter Milan will host Liverpool, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk and Stuttgart.
Their away fixtures will take them to Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava.
Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents during the league phase, with four games at home and four away.
UEFA has also introduced a rule preventing a club from hosting a team it faced at home during either of the previous two league-phase campaigns.
Full Champions League league-phase fixtures
Arsenal: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Sabah (home); Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli, Slavia Prague (away).
Liverpool: Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal, Lens (home); Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, LASK (away).
Manchester City: PSG, Sporting Club, Napoli, AEK Athens (home); Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig, Lens (away).
PSG: Barcelona, Manchester City, Roma, Aston Villa (home); Manchester City, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Como (away).
Barcelona: Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Como (home); PSG, Sporting Club, Galatasaray, Sabah (away).
Real Madrid: Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, RB Leipzig, LASK (home); Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, AEK Athens (away).
Atletico Madrid: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Viking (home); Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt, Stuttgart (away).
Inter Milan: Liverpool, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk, Stuttgart (home); Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord, Slovan Bratislava (away).
