started · updated
UEFA Champions League begins new 36-team league phase
The UEFA Champions League 2026/27 season begins this week, marking the third year of the new league phase format featuring 36 teams. The competition moves away from traditional groups to a single league table where teams play eight matches to determine qualification for the knockout stages.
Key opening fixtures include high-profile matchups such as Real Madrid hosting Inter Milan at the Bernabéu, Manchester City traveling to Porto, and Liverpool facing Atlético Madrid. Other notable matches scheduled for the opening round include Barcelona vs Feyenoord, Napoli vs Arsenal, and Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal.
The tournament features several debutants in the league phase, including Como, LASK Linz, Sabah, and Viking. The final of the competition is scheduled to take place at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
Entities
AEK Athens · Aston Villa · Club Brugge · FC Porto · Inter Milan · Ivan Leko · Jan Breydel Stadium · LASK · LASK Linz · Manchester City · Marko Nikolić · Real Madrid
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The eighth and final round is scheduled for January 27, 2027. trn.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The main phase of the Champions League is starting its 35th season. dsport.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The first round of the league phase will be played from September 8 to 10. trn.mk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AEK Athens returns to the Champions League after a 7-year hiatus. fakti.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Como, Sabah, LASK Linz, and Viking are the new additions to the main phase this season. dsport.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LASK advanced after a 5-1 win against Celtic in a second-leg comeback. fakti.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Real Madrid and Inter will meet in Madrid. trn.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] The tournament uses a format with 36 teams where each club plays eight matches. dsport.bg · trn.mk