Champions League 2026/27 season begins as Lewandowski era ends

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase is set to begin this week, with matches scheduled for September 8-10. Betting markets have established early favorites for the title, with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain currently tied as the top contenders, followed closely by Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Real Madrid and Manchester City also remain in the primary group of favorites.

This edition marks a significant shift for Polish football fans, as it will be the first time since the 2011/12 season that Robert Lewandowski will not participate in the tournament. Following his departure from FC Barcelona, the striker has moved to the American club Chicago Fire. Lewandowski concludes his Champions League career with a record of 109 goals in 144 appearances.

While Polish club Lech Poznań was eliminated in the second qualifying round by Aarhus, several other Polish players will feature in the competition, including Piotr Zieliński of Inter Milan and the trio of Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, and Oskar Pietuszewski at FC Porto.