gg2
UEFA Champions League news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The 2026-27 Champions League opened Sept 8, with Matchday 1 wrapping up Thursday.
PSG chase a third straight title, with the final set for Madrid in June.
Background
The Champions League returned for a third season in its current format, in which 32 teams each play eight league-phase opponents to earn a place in the knockout rounds. Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are aiming to become the first men's side to win three consecutive European Cups since Real Madrid in 2017-18. The 2026-27 edition began on Sept. 8 and runs to the final on June 5, 2027 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
How it unfolded
- Sep 8, 2026The 2026-27 Champions League league phase kicks off, with Club Brugge vs Aston Villa among the opening fixtures.
- Sep 8, 2026Hyundai Motor Company announces a multi-year deal as the competition's Official Automotive Partner, running from 2026/27 to the end of 2030/31.
- Sep 9, 2026The latest league-phase standings are published, listing all 36 clubs and their early records.
- Sep 10, 2026Matchday 1 concludes with six matches, including Fenerbahce vs AS Roma, Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt and Manchester United vs Sabah.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and 2025-26 runners-up Arsenal are labeled favorites to chase down PSG.
- Caution
- With 32 teams playing eight league-phase games, early standings show several sides on 0 points after one match.