UEFA Champions League 2026-27: Teams, Schedule, and Viewing Guide

The UEFA Champions League is set to return for the 2026-27 season with Paris Saint-Germain aiming for a third straight title. The French giants, managed by Luis Enrique, have secured back-to-back European trophies and will face tough competition from clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, and the returning Manchester United. This season also introduces debutants Viking FK and Sabah.

Competition Format

The format now features 36 teams in a league phase rather than traditional groups. Each team plays eight matches against different opponents—four at home and four away. All 36 teams are ranked in one league table. Wins earn three points and draws one point.

The top eight teams after this phase go directly to the Round of 16. Those finishing 9th to 24th enter two-legged playoffs for remaining knockout spots, while the rest exit European competition.

How to Watch in Australia

Stan Sport holds the broadcast rights in Australia, offering live and on-demand coverage of every match throughout the season.

The 36 Teams in the League Phase

• AEK Athens (GRE)
• Arsenal (ENG)
• Aston Villa (ENG)
• Atlético Madrid (ESP)
• Barcelona (ESP)
• Bayern München (GER)
• Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
• Borussia Dortmund (GER)
• Club Brugge (BEL)
• Como (ITA)
• Fenerbahçe (TUR)
• Feyenoord (NED)
• Galatasaray (TUR)
• Inter (ITA)
• LASK (AUT)
• Leipzig (GER)
• Lens (FRA)
• Lille (FRA)
• Liverpool (ENG)
• Man City (ENG)
• Manchester United (ENG)
• Napoli (ITA)
• Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
• Porto (POR)
• PSV (NED)
• Real Betis (ESP)
• Real Madrid (ESP)
• Roma (ITA)
• Sabah (AZE)
• Shakhtar (UKR)
• Slavia Praha (CZE)
• Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
• Sporting CP (POR)
• Stuttgart (GER)
• Viking (NOR)
• Villarreal (ESP)

Australian Players and Teams to Watch

Nestory Irankunda might experience major European nights as Sporting CP faces Barcelona, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Sporting will host Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade and welcome visitors such as Manchester United, Galatasaray, and LASK. Their away games include trips to Manchester City, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Lens.

Jordan Bos' Feyenoord has an intriguing draw, including a visit to Barcelona and trips to Real Betis, Galatasaray, and Viking FK. At home, Feyenoord will host Inter Milan, Porto, RB Leipzig, and Como. The clash with Viking FK could see Bos face fellow Socceroos Gianni Stensness and Nick D’Agostino, especially since Bos is recovering from a World Cup injury.

Viking FK, Norwegian champions making their Champions League debut, feature Socceroos players Gianni Stensness and Nick D’Agostino. They will host Bayern Munich in Stavanger. Other visitors include PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and Sabah. Viking's away fixtures take them to Atlético Madrid, Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stuttgart.

Antonio Arena, Australian-born Italy youth international, is part of Roma’s squad this season.

League Phase Match Dates

• Matchday 1: 8-10 September 2026
• Matchday 2: 13-14 October 2026
• Matchday 3: 20-21 October 2026
• Matchday 4: 3-4 November 2026
• Matchday 5: 24-25 November 2026
• Matchday 6: 8-9 December 2026
• Matchday 7: 19-20 January 2027
• Matchday 8: 27 January 2027

Matchday 1 Fixtures

• Tuesday 8 September 2026 (Wednesday 9 September AEST): AEK Athens vs LASK, Club Brugge vs Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal, Porto vs Manchester City, Lille vs Real Betis, Real Madrid vs Inter
• Wednesday 9 September 2026 (Thursday 10 September AEST): Barcelona vs Feyenoord, Stuttgart vs Viking, Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava, Sporting CP vs Galatasaray, Napoli vs Arsenal
• Thursday 10 September 2026 (Friday 11 September AEST): Fenerbahçe vs Roma, PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Como vs Leipzig, Bayern München vs Bodø/Glimt, Manchester United vs Sabah, Slavia Praha vs Lens

Matchday 2 Fixtures

• Tuesday 13 October 2026 (Wednesday 14 October AEDT): Lens vs Sporting CP, Sabah vs Slavia Praha, Arsenal vs Lille, Atlético de Madrid vs Manchester United, Inter vs Club Brugge, Galatasaray vs Barcelona, Leipzig vs PSV Eindhoven, Viking vs Bayern München, Villarreal vs Napoli
• Wednesday 14 October 2026 (Thursday 15 October AEDT): Feyenoord vs Como, LASK vs Liverpool, Roma vs Real Madrid, Aston Villa vs Fenerbahçe, Shakhtar Donetsk vs AEK Athens, Bodø/Glimt vs Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain, Real Betis vs Porto, Slovan Bratislava vs Stuttgart

Upcoming Final Details

The final will be played at Madrid's Estadio Metropolitano on Saturday, June 5, 2027 (Sunday, June 6, 2027 AEST).