Champions League: Full League Phase Schedule & Key Matches

The UEFA Champions League league phase is poised for an exciting start, with reigning world champions Chelsea set to face Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated opening fixture. The inaugural week will also feature a significant reunion as Kevin De Bruyne`s Manchester City plays host to his former club at the Etihad Stadium.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will commence their campaign against Atalanta, a repeat of their 2020 Champions League quarter-final clash. Meanwhile, Liverpool, widely regarded as one of the tournament favorites, will kick off their journey at home against Atletico Madrid.

The league phase for PSG promises a dramatic conclusion at the Parc des Princes, as the Qatari-owned club goes head-to-head with Newcastle United, backed by Saudi Arabia`s sovereign wealth fund. The final matchday will see all 36 participating teams in action simultaneously, with key qualification battles expected in fixtures like Borussia Dortmund vs. Inter, Napoli vs. Chelsea, and Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Tottenham.

Before these decisive January 28 matches, several high-profile encounters and emotional returns are scheduled. Notably, Trent Alexander-Arnold is slated to return to Anfield as a Real Madrid player on November 4. Xabi Alonso`s team also faces a challenging trip to Kazakhstan to play Kairat Almaty on September 30, just two days after their away game against Atletico Madrid—a fixture that might be rescheduled.

Perhaps the most anticipated match of the league phase will be PSG`s visit to Barcelona on October 1. This fixture marks a potentially tough start for Hansi Flick`s squad, who also contend with away games against Newcastle United and Chelsea within their initial five matches.

From the 36 teams competing in the league phase, the top 24 will advance to the knockout stages. The teams finishing between first and eighth place will automatically secure a spot in the Champions League last 16, while the remaining qualifiers will compete in play-off matches to join them.

Full League Phase Schedule

Matchday One – Tuesday, September 16

Matchday One – Wednesday, September 17

Matchday One – Thursday, September 18

Matchday Two – Tuesday, September 30

Matchday Two – Wednesday, October 1

Matchday Three – Tuesday, October 21

Matchday Three – Wednesday, October 22

Matchday Four – Tuesday, November 4

Matchday Four – Wednesday, November 5

Matchday Five – Tuesday, November 25

Matchday Five – Wednesday, November 26

Matchday Six – Tuesday, December 9

Matchday Six – Wednesday, December 10

Matchday Seven – Tuesday, January 20

Matchday Seven – Wednesday, January 21

Matchday Eight – Tuesday, January 28

All times are Eastern Time (ET) and subject to change.