The highly anticipated 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season officially kicks off on Tuesday, just over three months after Paris Saint-Germain claimed their historic first title. The race to crown Europe`s new club champion is now underway.
Matchday 1 provides an early opportunity for PSG and numerous other hopefuls to assert their ambitions for Europe`s most coveted club trophy, even with the final in Budapest`s Puskas Arena still a distant prospect on May 30. While some fixtures present clear favorites – Real Madrid are expected to secure a home win against Marseille, and Arsenal faces a challenging away test against last season`s Europa League semifinalists, Athletic Club – others promise more competitive encounters. The reigning champions are set to begin their demanding league phase campaign with a seemingly straightforward victory over Atalanta, though their overall schedule is punctuated by clashes with several European giants.
The most anticipated fixture of Matchday 1 is Wednesday`s clash between Chelsea and Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, highlighting a duel between English attacking talents Cole Palmer and Harry Kane. Also on Wednesday, Liverpool will welcome Atletico Madrid, while bookmakers` favorites Barcelona are scheduled to visit Newcastle United on Thursday.
As the Champions League excitement builds, here`s everything you need to know to catch all the action.
How to Watch
The initial round of league phase matches spans three days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Comprehensive coverage will be available on Paramount+, supplemented by selected broadcasts on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Daily pre-match analysis begins at 12 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, leading into matches at 12:45 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. ET. Post-match analysis will then shift to Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Matchday 1 will feature `The Golazo Show` free on CBS Sports Golazo Network, with evening wrap-ups including `The Champions Club` (also simulcast on YouTube) and `Scoreline` on CBS Sports Golazo Network.
Matchday 1 TV Schedule
TUESDAY, SEPT. 16
| Match/Show | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Matchday | 12 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| PSV vs. Union Saint-Gilloise | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Athletic Club vs. Arsenal | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today pre-match | 1:30 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Golazo Show | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Benfica vs. Qarabag | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Tottenham Hotspur vs. Villarreal | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Real Madrid vs. Marseille | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today post-match | 5 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Champions Club | 6 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network, YouTube |
| Scoreline | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17
| Match/Show | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Matchday | 12 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Olympiacos vs. Pafos | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Slavia Praha vs. Bodo/Glimt | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today | 2 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Golazo Show | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Ajax vs. Inter | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atalanta | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today post-match | 5 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Champions Club | 6 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network, YouTube |
| Scoreline | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
| Match/Show | Time | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League Today | 12 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Copenhagen vs. Bayer Leverkusen | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Club Brugge vs. Monaco | 12:45 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today pre-match | 2 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Golazo Show | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray | 3 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network |
| Sporting Lisbon vs. Kairat | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Newcastle United vs. Barcelona | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| Manchester City vs. Napoli | 3 p.m. | Paramount+ |
| UEFA Champions League Today post-match | 5 p.m. | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network |
| The Champions Club | 6 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network, YouTube |
| Scoreline | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network |
Tuesday`s Storylines
On Tuesday, Xabi Alonso`s revamped Real Madrid will unveil their European campaign against Marseille. This new tactical approach aims to rectify the issues that troubled Los Blancos last season. Early signs suggest Alonso has instilled a more measured, disciplined style, moving away from last season`s perceived imbalance. His preferred 4-2-3-1 formation consistently creates scoring opportunities and accommodates squad rotation effectively. Kylian Mbappe is central to this offensive strategy, boasting an impressive four goals in as many games, though this iteration of Real Madrid is not yet known for overwhelming victories.
Across Spain, Arsenal faces their initial significant test as they travel to confront Athletic Club. The Gunners, semi-finalists last season, are determined to make another deep run, with the pursuit of major trophies intensifying as Mikel Arteta nears his sixth year at the helm. However, their opponents are formidable; Ernesto Valverde`s team has commenced the season strong with three victories from four matches, potentially making them one of Arsenal`s most challenging adversaries in what is otherwise a favorable group stage draw.
Other notable Tuesday fixtures feature teams aiming for a strong start to their Champions League quests: Tottenham Hotspur hosts Villarreal, and Juventus welcomes the 2023-24 finalists, Borussia Dortmund. Additionally, PSV takes on Union Saint-Gilloise in a Low Countries derby, while Azerbaijan`s Qarabag embarks on a long journey to face Benfica in Portugal.
Wednesday`s Storylines
The spotlight on Wednesday will undoubtedly be on Munich`s Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich and Chelsea clash in the week`s most anticipated encounter, promising a showcase of both teams` offensive prowess. Chelsea anticipates a boost with Cole Palmer`s return from a minor injury, but their attack has shown inconsistency early in the season, occasionally appearing sluggish as manager Enzo Maresca seeks to optimize his expansive squad. In contrast to Chelsea`s fluctuating form, Bayern often reserves their true test for the Champions League, where Harry Kane frequently proves to be a game-changer, and new signing Luis Diaz could similarly provide that spark.
A revitalized Liverpool side aims to make a strong statement in the Champions League as they host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Much anticipation surrounds manager Arne Slot`s selection of attacking players. Alexander Isak is yet to make his Reds debut due to a lack of match fitness, while Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah have already found the net multiple times this season. Florian Wirtz, on the other hand, will be looking to seize this opportunity to make a significant impression after a subdued start to his career in England.
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain enters their match against Atalanta as clear favorites, while Ajax marks its return to the Champions League by facing last season`s semi-finalists, Inter. Adding to the excitement, Norway`s Bodo/Glimt and Cyprus` Pafos are set to make their Champions League debuts with away fixtures against Slavia Praha and Olympiacos, respectively.
Thursday`s Storylines
Matchday 1 concludes with two high-profile encounters hosted in England: La Liga champions Barcelona journey to face Newcastle United, and Manchester City welcomes Serie A winners Napoli. Barcelona, while tipped as favorites, will face the challenge of performing without Lamine Yamal, who is a doubt due to a groin injury for Thursday`s game. This puts pressure on Nick Woltemade to fill the void, particularly against Newcastle`s high defensive line. Meanwhile, Manchester City appears ready to give a Champions League debut to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined Pep Guardiola`s squad on transfer deadline day.
Following a managerial change, Bayer Leverkusen starts their Champions League journey away at Copenhagen. Elsewhere, last season`s surprise Round of 16 contenders, Club Brugge, host Monaco. Europa League quarter-finalists Eintracht Frankfurt will welcome Galatasaray, the sole Turkish representative this season. Finally, Kazakhstan`s Kairat embarks on its maiden Champions League campaign with the competition`s most extensive away trip, facing Sporting Lisbon.
