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UEFA Champions League 2026-27: Teams, Schedule, Broadcast Details, and Aussie Players

The UEFA Champions League returns with the 2026-27 season, where Paris Saint-Germain aims for an unprecedented third consecutive title. Under Luis Enrique's guidance, PSG enters as back-to-back European champions, facing fierce competition from heavyweights like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, and the returning Manchester United. Newcomers Viking FK and Sabah make their first appearances in the tournament.

This edition features 36 teams in a league-style phase, with each club playing eight different opponents, balanced evenly between home and away games.

Broadcasting the Champions League in Australia

Stan Sport holds exclusive Australian rights to the UEFA Champions League and will stream every match live and on demand throughout the season.

The 36 Teams in the League Phase

  • AEK Athens (GRE)
  • Arsenal (ENG)
  • Aston Villa (ENG)
  • Atlético Madrid (ESP)
  • Barcelona (ESP)
  • Bayern München (GER)
  • Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
  • Borussia Dortmund (GER)
  • Club Brugge (BEL)
  • Como (ITA)
  • Fenerbahçe (TUR)
  • Feyenoord (NED)
  • Galatasaray (TUR)
  • Inter (ITA)
  • LASK (AUT)
  • Leipzig (GER)
  • Lens (FRA)
  • Lille (FRA)
  • Liverpool (ENG)
  • Man City (ENG)
  • Manchester United (ENG)
  • Napoli (ITA)
  • Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
  • Porto (POR)
  • PSV (NED)
  • Real Betis (ESP)
  • Real Madrid (ESP)
  • Roma (ITA)
  • Sabah (AZE)
  • Shakhtar (UKR)
  • Slavia Praha (CZE)
  • Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
  • Sporting CP (POR)
  • Stuttgart (GER)
  • Viking (NOR)
  • Villarreal (ESP)

Aussie Players to Watch

Nestory Irankunda could shine during Sporting CP’s challenging schedule, which includes matches against Barcelona, Manchester United, and Manchester City. Sporting will host Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade and welcome other visitors such as Manchester United, Galatasaray, and LASK. Their away fixtures include trips to Manchester City, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Lens.

Jordan Bos and his Feyenoord side face an intriguing draw featuring visits to Barcelona, Real Betis, Galatasaray, and Viking FK, who also have Australians on their roster. At home, Feyenoord will host Inter Milan, Porto, RB Leipzig, and Como. Bos, recovering from a World Cup injury, might meet Socceroos teammates Gianni Stensness and Nick D’Agostino during clashes against Viking FK.

Norwegian champions Viking FK, making their Champions League debut, boast Socceroos players Gianni Stensness and Nick D’Agostino. They will face Bayern Munich at home in Stavanger. Other home matches bring PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and Azerbaijani champions Sabah to Viking. Away games take Viking to Atlético Madrid, Aston Villa, Napoli, and Stuttgart.

Aussie-born Italy youth international Antonio Arena is included in Roma's Champions League squad this season.

Champions League Format Explained

The format shifted in 2024 to feature 36 teams in a single league phase rather than groups. Each team plays eight matches against unique opponents – four at home and four away – drawn from four seeding pots. All clubs appear in one combined table. Wins earn three points; draws earn one.

After this phase, the top eight teams go directly to the Round of 16. Teams finishing 9th to 24th enter two-legged playoffs for remaining knockout spots. Clubs ranked 25th or lower are eliminated.

League Phase Match Dates

  • Matchday 1: 8-10 September 2026
  • Matchday 2: 13-14 October 2026
  • Matchday 3: 20-21 October 2026
  • Matchday 4: 3-4 November 2026
  • Matchday 5: 24-25 November 2026
  • Matchday 6: 8-9 December 2026
  • Matchday 7: 19-20 January 2027
  • Matchday 8: 27 January 2027

Selected Fixtures from Matchday 1 (8-10 September 2026)

  • AEK Athens vs LASK
  • Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
  • Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
  • Porto vs Manchester City
  • Lille vs Real Betis
  • Real Madrid vs Inter
  • Barcelona vs Feyenoord
  • Stuttgart vs Viking
  • Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid
  • Paris Saint-Germain vs Slovan Bratislava
  • Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
  • Napoli vs Arsenal
  • Fenerbahçe vs Roma
  • PSV Eindhoven vs Shakhtar Donetsk
  • Como vs Leipzig
  • Bayern München vs Bodø/Glimt
  • Manchester United vs Sabah
  • Slavia Praha vs Lens

Location and Date for the Final

The 2026-27 Champions League final will take place at Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano on Saturday, June 5, 2027 (Sunday, June 6 in AEST).

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