English clubs face tough challenges in the new UEFA Champions League league phase following Thursday’s draw.
Liverpool and Manchester City will both meet 15-time winners Real Madrid. City will also face Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen, while Liverpool take on Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt and Marseille.
Tottenham and Newcastle have been drawn against holders Paris Saint Germain. Newcastle also face Barcelona and Benfica, while Spurs have a tricky path of their own.
Chelsea are in one of the toughest groups, with games against Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Napoli. Arsenal must also contend with Bayern Munich—featuring former Spurs striker Harry Kane—and Italian giants Inter.
This is the second season under UEFA’s expanded league format, where 36 teams play eight matches each—four home and four away—against opponents from different pots. The top eight will qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams placed ninth to 24th will go through a playoff.
The first round of matches will begin on September 16, with the last round on January 28, 2026. The final will take place on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
