UEFA Champions League 2026/27 — Matchday 1 Preview & Overview
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase gets underway today, kicking off the 35th season under its modern format. Thirty-six European clubs compete in an 8-match Single League Phase for a place in the knockout rounds, culminating at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
Headlines & Storylines
Title Defence: Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain enter the campaign aiming for a third consecutive European crown following their penalty shootout triumph over Arsenal in last season’s final.
Debutant Stage: Four clubs are making their tournament debuts in the league phase:
Como 1907 🇮🇹 (managed by Cesc Fàbregas)
LASK 🇦🇹
Sabah FK 🇦🇿
Viking FK 🇳🇴
Format: All 36 teams are placed in one unified league table. The top 8 teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while 9th through 24th fight in two-legged play-offs.
