Understanding the New Champions League Format and 2025-26 Season Preview
The UEFA Champions League is back with its second season under the revamped "League Phase" format. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the new format, how the draw works, and previews the upcoming 2025-26 season, including predictions and streaming information.
What is the New Champions League Format?
The Champions League underwent a significant format change last season, moving away from the traditional group stage. Instead of 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, the competition now features 36 teams in a single "League Phase."
- Teams play eight fixtures, four at home and four away.
- Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated in January.
- Teams ranked 9-24 compete in knockout phase playoffs in February for a spot in the round of 16.
- The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16 in March.
Importantly, teams can no longer drop down to the Europa League or Conference League. Elimination means the end of their European campaign for the season.
Champions League Match Schedule
Matches are typically played with two games at 5.45 p.m. UK / 12.45 p.m. ET and the remainder at 8 p.m. UK / 3 p.m. ET. However, all matches on the final day of the League Phase will begin at 8 p.m. UK / 3 p.m. ET.
| Matchday | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | Sept. 16-18 |
| Matchday 2 | Sept. 30 - Oct. 1 |
| Matchday 3 | Oct. 21-22 |
| Matchday 4 | Nov. 4-5 |
| Matchday 5 | Nov. 25-26 |
| Matchday 6 | Dec. 9-10 |
| Matchday 7 | Jan. 20-21 |
| Matchday 8 | Jan. 28 |
The League Phase now concludes in January instead of December. UEFA has expanded the European calendar to cover 10 midweeks, accommodating the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Knockout Rounds and Bracket Structure
Unlike previous seasons, the new system uses league rankings to determine the knockout bracket, requiring only two draws: one for the knockout phase playoffs (Jan. 30) and another for the round of 16 (Feb. 27) to finalize the bracket.
There is no country protection, meaning teams from the same nation can face each other in the round of 16. This increased competition intensity could result in some heavyweight clashes early in the knockout stages.
Home Advantage in the Knockouts
UEFA has changed how home advantage is determined in the knockouts. The venue for the second leg is now based on merit from the League Phase. Teams ranked 1-4 are guaranteed a home second leg in the round of 16 and quarterfinals, if they progress. Teams ranked 1-2 are also guaranteed home priority in the semifinals.
Champions League Predictions for the 2025-26 Season
Several football experts have weighed in on their predictions for the 2025-26 Champions League season. Liverpool is a popular choice, with many citing their strengthened squad and home advantage. PSG and Real Madrid are also considered strong contenders.
"My pick to win it are Liverpool, purely on the basis of the huge strengthening they have carried out this summer. Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are two high-class players who are Champions League-ready." - Phil McNulty, BBC's chief football writer
Some experts are also backing Barcelona, citing their young team's experience and talent.
How to Watch the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Season
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season runs from Sept. 16, 2025 to May 30, 2026. Every match of the league phase will stream on Paramount+.
Dates: Sept. 16, 2025 - May 30, 2026
Streaming: Paramount+
UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Schedule (September 16-18, 2025)
Below is the schedule for Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League, with all times listed in Eastern time.
- Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Athletic Club vs. Arsenal, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Union Saint-Gilloise, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Real Madrid vs. Marseille, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Benfica vs. Qarabag, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Tottenham vs. Villarreal, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Olympiacos vs. Pafos, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Slavia Praha vs. Bodo/Glimt, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Ajax vs. Inter, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Liverpool vs. Atletico de Madrid, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atalanta, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Club Brugge vs. Monaco, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Copenhagen vs. Leverkusen, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Frankfurt vs. Galatasaray, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Manchester City vs. Napoli, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Newcastle United vs. Barcelona, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Sporting CP vs. Kairat Almaty, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)