Champions League Is Back: Real Madrid, City Lead Big Night The wait is over — UEFA Champions League football returns today, Tuesday, September 8, with the 2026/27 league phase getting underway. The opening round runs from September 8 to 10, with Europe’s biggest clubs beginning their campaigns for the trophy. The biggest attraction tonight is undoubtedly Real Madrid vs Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, European football’s most successful club, begin their campaign under José Mourinho, who is back for a second spell at the club. Mourinho has already played down the pressure to win the Champions League, despite the club’s huge expectations. Another major clash sees Manchester City travel to Porto. City, champions in 2023, will be looking to start strongly against a Porto side playing at home. There is also an interesting battle between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, while Club Brugge host Aston Villa in another fixture that could provide plenty of drama. The new league-phase format remains in place: 36 teams compete in one table, with each club playing eight matches. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter the knockout play-offs. And the action doesn’t stop tonight. Barcelona face Feyenoord, Liverpool take on Atlético Madrid, while Arsenal visit Napoli on Wednesday, giving fans another blockbuster night of Champions League football.
Champions League Is Back: Real Madrid, City Lead Big Night The wait is over — UEFA Champions League football returns today, Tuesday, September 8, with the 2026/27 league phase getting underway. The opening round runs from September 8 to 10, with Europe’s biggest clubs beginning their campaigns for the trophy. The biggest attraction tonight is undoubtedly Real Madrid vs Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, European football’s most successful club, begin their campaign under José Mourinho, who is back for a second spell at the club. Mourinho has already played down the pressure to win the Champions League, despite the club’s huge expectations. Another major clash sees Manchester City travel to Porto. City, champions in 2023, will be looking to start strongly against a Porto side playing at home. There is also an interesting battle between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, while Club Brugge host Aston Villa in another fixture that could provide plenty of drama. The new league-phase format remains in place: 36 teams compete in one table, with each club playing eight matches. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter the knockout play-offs. And the action doesn’t stop tonight. Barcelona face Feyenoord, Liverpool take on Atlético Madrid, while Arsenal visit Napoli on Wednesday, giving fans another blockbuster night of Champions League football.
The wait is over — UEFA Champions League football returns today, Tuesday, September 8, with the 2026/27 league phase getting underway. The opening round runs from September 8 to 10, with Europe’s biggest clubs beginning their campaigns for the trophy.
The biggest attraction tonight is undoubtedly Real Madrid vs Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, European football’s most successful club, begin their campaign under José Mourinho, who is back for a second spell at the club. Mourinho has already played down the pressure to win the Champions League, despite the club’s huge expectations.
Another major clash sees Manchester City travel to Porto. City, champions in 2023, will be looking to start strongly against a Porto side playing at home.
There is also an interesting battle between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, while Club Brugge host Aston Villa in another fixture that could provide plenty of drama.
The new league-phase format remains in place: 36 teams compete in one table, with each club playing eight matches. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter the knockout play-offs.
And the action doesn’t stop tonight. Barcelona face Feyenoord, Liverpool take on Atlético Madrid, while Arsenal visit Napoli on Wednesday, giving fans another blockbuster night of Champions League football.
