The familiar strains of the Champions League anthem will once again echo through stadiums, rekindling passions, rivalries, dreams and heartbreaks. The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season has officially returned, resurrecting the nightly spectacle that separates legends from pretenders, and promising drama from the first whistle until the trophy lift in Budapest next May.
After months of anticipation, the league phase of football’s premier club competition begins on 16 September and will run through to 28 January 2026, when 36 teams will battle to claim one of the 24 spots in the knockout rounds.
This year’s edition begins with a tantalizing mix of pedigree, aspiration, historic comebacks, and new stories waiting to be written.
The backdrop to this return is rich with context. Paris Saint-Germain, having secured their first ever Champions League title in a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich in May, carry the weight of defending champion into a field crowded with clubs dreaming of dethronement.
Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and other established giants appear amid teams making rare or first-time appearances, creating a diverse competitive landscape. The very structure of the competition adds its own spice: this will be the first full campaign under the post-2024 reformatting, with more league-phase matches and less margin for error.
One storyline already generating considerable interest involves Arsenal, who, under Mikel Arteta, are looking to build upon their deep run last season and cast themselves among Europe’s elite.
At the same time, Real Madrid, with their history and trophy haul, are under pressure to reassert dominance. According to preview analyses, clubs like Barcelona are seen both as challengers seeking redemption and as symbols of resilient power in European football.
This season will also bring geographic firsts and underdog narratives. Bodø/Glimt of Norway, for example, will take part in the group stage for the first time in many years, and also become the northernmost club to ever compete in the Champions League proper. On the other end, some traditionally strong leagues are without representation this time, adding extra weight to matches for those who remain.
Teams and managers have been preparing for these Champions League nights for weeks. Players who shone in domestic leagues now face a higher bar—opponents with star-studded lineups, tactical complexity, and the unforgiving rhythm of European nights.
Managers talk of squad depth, rotation, injury management, and mental toughness. Fans are talking about legacy, and whether this season might finally deliver silverware that has eluded their clubs in past campaigns.
In Bilbao, for example, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the significance of starting the season in the Basque country, a region steeped in footballing identity.
Facing Athletic Club away on matchday one, Arteta said, “We haven’t won it yet, but that’s the opportunity. Every decision has to be taken in that direction.” Similarly, pundits see Arsenal’s signings—like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and others—as critical pieces in what could be the most complete squad Arteta has fielded in his European endeavours.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s campaign opens under the management of Xabi Alonso, who inherits the expectation of excellence. His side have begun the La Liga season strongly, and the opening match against Marseille is seen not merely as a warm-up, but as a signal of intent.
Observers point to the blend of experienced campaigners and youthful exuberance in the squad—how it will be deployed under pressure, how rotations will matter in a crowded schedule.
For clubs like Chelsea, who are making a return to Europe’s top competition after a couple of seasons away, the journey back to these nights is itself a milestone. Chelsea begin their campaign with a tough road trip to face Bayern Munich, a fixture that summons memories, symbolism and a steep challenge.
UEFA has also made changes off the pitch that affect how nights like these are experienced. From kick-off scheduling through to fan travel, broadcasting, and stadium operations, there is an increasing awareness that Champions League matches are not just fixtures—they are major events.
One announcement that has drawn widespread approval is the decision to schedule the Champions League final beginning three hours earlier from 2026, at 18:00 CET, so that more fans can participate in post-match festivities and return home safely.