Champions League Draw: Arsenal Handed Real Madrid and Bayern, Huge Nights Await English Clubs
The Champions League is officially back — and the 2026/27 league-phase draw has produced some seriously tasty matchups. 🏆
All five Premier League clubs now know who they will face as they begin their journey towards European glory, with some huge nights already on the calendar.
Arsenal have arguably been handed the toughest draw of the English sides, while Manchester City and Aston Villa will both face the defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
And Liverpool and Manchester United have also been given some heavyweight European opponents.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid and Bayern Munich
Arsenal have been drawn against Real Madrid at home and Bayern Munich away.
The Gunners will also face Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, Lille, Napoli, Sabah and Slavia Prague.
After reaching last season’s Champions League final, Arsenal now have another huge European campaign ahead of them.
A home meeting with Real Madrid is already one of the standout fixtures of the entire league phase.
And the trip to Bayern Munich certainly won’t be an easy night either.
Manchester City get PSG and Barcelona
Manchester City have also been handed a blockbuster schedule.
Pep Guardiola’s side will host PSG before travelling to Barcelona.
They will also play Sporting CP, Porto, Napoli, RB Leipzig, AEK Athens and Lens.
Two of Europe’s biggest clubs in one league phase.
City vs PSG and Barcelona vs City should both be must-watch games.
Aston Villa face the champions too
Aston Villa haven’t exactly been given an easy route either.
Villa will host PSG and travel to Barcelona, while Borussia Dortmund will also visit Villa Park.
Their remaining opponents are Club Brugge, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Viking and Slavia Prague.
The PSG game will be particularly interesting, as it will be a rematch of the recent Super Cup, which PSG won 2-1.
Villa are back among Europe’s elite — and they’re certainly not hiding from the big boys.
Liverpool get Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid
Liverpool will travel to Inter Milan and host Atlético Madrid in another pair of huge fixtures.
They’ll also face Porto, Club Brugge, Villarreal, Fenerbahçe, Lens and LASK.
The Inter trip should be one of the most difficult away games of the league phase, while Atlético coming to Anfield promises another classic Champions League atmosphere.
Manchester United return with Bayern and Atlético
Manchester United’s return to the Champions League has also produced some massive fixtures.
They will host Bayern Munich and travel to Atlético Madrid.
Roma, Sporting CP, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Sabah and Como make up the rest of their schedule.
A Bayern night at Old Trafford is exactly the sort of European occasion United fans have been waiting for.
A new Champions League season begins
The league phase starts between 8 and 10 September, with each club playing eight different opponents — four at home and four away.
The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last 16, while teams finishing from ninth to 24th will have to go through the knockout play-offs. The bottom 12 teams will be eliminated from the competition.
And with Arsenal facing Real Madrid and Bayern, City taking on PSG and Barcelona, Villa meeting PSG and Barcelona, Liverpool travelling to Inter and United facing Bayern and Atlético, there is already plenty to get excited about.
The Champions League is back.
And this season could be absolute box office. 🍿🏆
