News Summary
- The new season of the European club football Champions League begins today, featuring 36 teams competing in the league phase.
- PSG, champions of the last two editions, aim for a third consecutive title, while Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are seen as main contenders.
- Under the new format, the top 8 teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will play knockout playoffs.
September 8, Kathmandu – Europe’s premier club football competition, the Champions League, kicks off its new season today. For the 2026/27 season, 36 teams will compete in the league stage. Each team will play eight matches — four at home and four away.
The main title contenders this season include Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester City, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. PSG, the winners of the past two editions, are aiming for their third consecutive Champions League trophy.
However, the start of the new season does not appear easy for PSG. Despite a less-than-ideal start in domestic competitions, coach Luis Enrique claims the team has been energized with fresh energy.
Spain’s La Liga champion Barcelona boasts young stars like Lamine Yamal. After signing FIFA World Cup 2026’s best player Rodri, Barcelona’s confidence has risen. Their first league stage match will be against Feyenoord.
Real Madrid, the most successful club in UEFA Champions League history, is also among the front-runners. Led by José Mourinho, Real Madrid will open the competition against Inter Milan. This match holds special significance for Mourinho, who helped Inter win the Champions League in 2010.
Arsenal is also considered a strong contender this season. Having never won the Champions League, Arsenal aims to rewrite history. Their first game is against Napoli. Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also major title challengers. City will play Porto, while Bayern faces Bodø/Glimt in the opening games.
From matchday one of the league stage, marquee games promise to raise the competition’s atmosphere. The clash between Real Madrid and Inter Milan is expected to be one of the most captivating matches. Similarly, the matches featuring Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern will attract global attention.
According to the new format, the top eight teams in the league stage will qualify directly to the round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to twenty-fourth must compete in knockout playoffs, while the twenty-fifth to thirty-sixth ranked teams will be eliminated. This new structure heightens the importance of every match. Teams finishing in the top eight avoid the playoff round, gaining a significant advantage on their path to the title.
The league stage will conclude on January 27, 2027. Following that, the top teams will progress through knockout rounds toward the title final. This season’s primary attractions include PSG’s bid for a third consecutive trophy, Barcelona’s youthful surge, Real Madrid’s European legacy, Arsenal’s quest for their first title, and the challenges posed by Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
