Champions League Officially Returns With Blockbuster Opening Night
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League officially gets underway today, September 8, as the league phase begins with six matches across Europe and some of the continent’s biggest clubs immediately entering the spotlight. The standout fixture of the opening night takes place at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid host Inter Milan. The match carries an additional storyline with José Mourinho beginning another Champions League campaign as Madrid manager against the club he famously guided to the treble in 2010. Manchester City also begin their European campaign tonight with a difficult trip to FC Porto, while Borussia Dortmund host Villarreal in Germany. Elsewhere, Real Betis travel to Lille, Aston Villa face Club Brugge in Belgium and AEK Athens take on LASK. The opening Matchday 1 programme continues on September 9 with another collection of major fixtures. Barcelona host Feyenoord, Liverpool welcome Atlético Madrid to Anfield and Arsenal travel to Napoli. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defence at home against Slovan Bratislava, while Sporting CP meet Galatasaray and Stuttgart face Viking. The first round concludes on September 10, when Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Roma and RB Leipzig are among the clubs beginning their campaigns. The competition once again uses the 36-team league-phase format, with every club playing eight different opponents rather than competing in the traditional four-team groups. The results from those matches form one overall standings table, with the highest-ranked clubs advancing directly and others fighting for progression through the knockout playoffs. After months of anticipation, qualification rounds and summer squad changes, Europe’s biggest club competition is back. From tonight onward, every point could become crucial in the race towards the knockout rounds and ultimately the Champions League trophy.