UEFA publishes 2025-26 CL group phase schedule with six English clubs

UEFA has released the full league‑phase schedule for the 2025-26 Champions League following Thursday’s draw, revealing that a record six English clubs will contest the expanded competition from September through January. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United each learned the order of their eight opponents and the dates for four home and four away matches as UEFA set out the calendar for the new Swiss‑model season.

Under the format, each team plays eight different opponents, never from the same country, across the scheduled window. UEFA said the league phase runs from September to the end of January and published dates and kickoff times after the draw. The release confirmed several high‑profile fixtures and a handful of unusual scheduling choices, including several opening-week matches moved to Thursday night.

Liverpool’s slate looked particularly demanding, with a home meeting against Real Madrid on November 4 and a domestic showdown with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 8, a match that may be shifted for television, according to reports. Club sources said Trent Alexander‑Arnold is expected to return to the squad in...