The UEFA Champions League 2025–2026 is set to deliver another thrilling season, marking the second year under the new European format. A total of 36 clubs will take part in the league phase, which has replaced the traditional group stage. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents, with a single overall table determining the standings. The competition promises blockbuster clashes and non-stop excitement from start to finish. Below is the Champions League 2025–2026 fixture schedule broken down month by month, starting in August with the final qualifying rounds before the full league phase kicks off in September.
Champions League Schedule – August 2025
August 2025 features the final qualifying rounds for the Champions League. This is the last opportunity for participating clubs to secure their place in the main stage. The third qualifying round takes place in early August, followed by the play-offs held over two legs across two weeks. These ties are crucial in deciding which teams will join the final list of 36 in the league phase. For clubs from smaller leagues, the pressure is immense — qualification can redefine an entire season and bring in significant financial rewards.
Champions League Schedule – September 2025
The league phase officially begins in mid-September, with Matchday 1 scheduled from Tuesday 16 to Thursday 18 September 2025. This three-day opening is an exception introduced to maximise media exposure. Europe’s top clubs will make their debuts in this updated format of the Champions League. The action kicks off with high-profile match-ups between continental heavyweights. This first round of games is vital for setting the tone and gaining early points. With each team playing just eight matches, finishing in the top 8 (to qualify directly for the Round of 16) or between 9th and 24th place (to reach the play-in round) becomes a strategic goal from the outset.
Champions League Schedule – October 2025
October 2025 includes Matchdays 2 and 3 of the Champions League. Matchday 2 is set for Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October, continuing the early-season momentum. Matchday 3 follows on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October. By this point, teams begin to feel the effects of fixture congestion, manage injuries, and balance domestic and European competitions. In-form clubs may begin to pull ahead in the standings, while others face early pressure to stay in contention. Every fixture becomes decisive, as the condensed format leaves no room for error. October is often a pivotal month in shaping qualification hopes for the knockout stages.
Champions League Schedule – November 2025
November 2025 brings two crucial matchdays in the Champions League league phase. The fourth matchday is scheduled for Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 November, followed by the fifth matchday on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 November. This month marks a pivotal point in the competition, as gaps begin to emerge in the overall standings. Well-prepared sides may secure their place in the knockout rounds or position themselves strongly for the play-offs. Conversely, some teams will be clinging to their final hopes. Every point becomes vital, and effective squad rotation is essential to last the distance. November often shapes the narrative of the tournament, separating contenders from those who fall short.
Champions League Schedule – December 2025
The group stage reaches its climax in December, just before the winter break. The sixth matchday is set for Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 December 2025. At this stage, a single result can shake up the table. The top teams will aim to secure a spot in the top eight and avoid the play-offs, while others battle to remain in the top 24. The final round of the calendar year frequently produces dramatic twists. Some clubs will go through on goal difference or head-to-head records. December is always tense and defining – a month where dreams are realised or dashed, and the league phase of the Champions League comes to a thrilling end.
Champions League Schedule – January 2026
January 2026 signals a break in the Champions League action. No matches are played during this period, giving clubs a valuable opportunity to recover physically, evaluate performances, and plan ahead for the knockout stage. Club executives often focus on the winter transfer window to bolster squads for the challenges to come. Behind the scenes, coaching staff and analysts begin studying potential opponents. It’s also a chance to reset mentally and refocus after a demanding autumn. With domestic fixtures taking priority, this quiet spell sets the stage for a high-stakes return to European competition in February.
Champions League Schedule – February 2026
February 2026 marks the much-anticipated return of the Champions League following the winter break. The expanded format, introduced in the 2024-2025 season, continues to reshape the European calendar. This month features the knockout round play-offs. The first legs are scheduled for Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 February, with the return legs set for Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 February. These ties involve clubs ranked between 9th and 24th after the league phase. The intensity is immediately high. Every mistake carries consequences. With European ambitions on the line, the atmosphere inside the stadiums is electric and the pressure immense.
Champions League Schedule – March 2026
The Round of 16 begins in March, matching the top eight sides from the league phase against the winners of the play-offs. First legs take place on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 March, followed by second legs on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 March. This month is crucial for both favourites and underdogs. Tactical mastery, physical strength, and mental composure are all tested in these direct knockout clashes. Managers must make smart decisions, and experienced players step up. March often produces some of the competition’s most thrilling matches and dramatic turnarounds.
Champions League Schedule – April 2026
April 2026 brings the quarter-finals of the Champions League, one of the most eagerly awaited stages of the competition. Europe’s eight strongest teams battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. The first legs are scheduled for Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April, with return fixtures on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April. The tension reaches its peak at this stage. Veteran players take charge and moments of individual brilliance often decide the outcome. April is seen as the month of truth – separating contenders from genuine title challengers. Every fixture becomes a must-watch clash for fans across the continent.
Champions League Schedule – May 2026
The month of May 2026 marks the pinnacle of the season for the clubs still in contention. The Champions League semi-finals and the grand final are set to take centre stage. The first legs of the semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 May, with the second legs scheduled for Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 May. At this level, only the elite remain. Matches are characterised by immense tension and exceptional technical and tactical quality. Emotions run high, and physical condition plays a crucial role after a demanding season.
The Champions League Final 2026 will be held on Saturday 30 May 2026. The venue has yet to be confirmed by UEFA, but is expected to be a prestigious European capital. This is the continent’s most prestigious club football event. Two sides will battle it out to lift the iconic trophy and etch their names in European football history. The final will be preceded by a spectacular pre-match ceremony, the iconic Champions League anthem, and a fervent atmosphere in the stands.
With the 2025–2026 edition, the Champions League continues to demonstrate the success of the new format, first introduced the previous season. The single league stage followed by knockout rounds has brought greater intensity and suspense. May stands as the climactic moment of the campaign, drawing the attention of fans worldwide. The world’s biggest football stars will be under the spotlight, ready to write another legendary chapter on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.