What the Champions League schedule covers
The Champions League schedule is the master calendar for the UEFA Champions League, detailing when every round, matchday and fixture takes place from qualifying to the final. For 2025-26, it includes July qualifying rounds, the new 36-team league phase, knockout ties and the final in Budapest on May 30, 2026.
Because of the updated format, the schedule is more complex than in past seasons, with eight league phase matchdays spread from mid-September to late January and all 36 teams playing on the final league phase date. Fans use the schedule to track their club’s opponents, travel demands and the timing of key matches that affect qualification.
League phase dates and crucial December fixtures
UEFA’s official calendar sets the 2025-26 league phase matchdays on September 16–18, September 30–October 1, October 21–22, November 4–5, November 25–26, December 9–10, January 20–21 and January 28. Matchday 6 in early December is especially important, as clubs approach the final stretch of the league table and look to lock in positions for the knockout phase play-offs or direct qualification for the round of 16.
Schedule and TV listings from broadcasters highlight specific December fixtures, including high-profile clashes like Real Madrid vs Manchester City and other matches that can swing seeding. With so much at stake, supporters are paying close attention to the December dates and kickoff times to see which teams will be well positioned heading into Matchdays 7 and 8.
Knockout rounds, draws and the road to Budapest
After the league phase ends on January 28, the schedule moves into the knockout phase, starting with play-offs in mid and late February 2026, then the round of 16 in March, quarter-finals in April and semi-finals between late April and early May. These stages are all anchored by fixed UEFA dates, allowing clubs to plan travel and rotation around the most intense part of the season.
UEFA also publishes the key draw dates that shape the latter stages: the knockout phase play-off draw on January 30, 2026, followed by a combined draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final path on February 27, 2026. The schedule culminates in the Champions League final on May 30, 2026 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, a date that serves as the ultimate target for every club still in the competition.
How fans follow the Champions League schedule
Supporters use UEFA’s official fixtures and results pages as the primary reference for the Champions League schedule, since they list confirmed dates, fixtures, scores and, later in the season, a bracket view of the knockout rounds. These pages are updated as results come in, making them the most reliable way to see how each matchday affects the standings and bracket.
Media outlets like ESPN and CBS/Paramount+ complement the official schedule by adding live scores, kickoff times in local time zones, TV channels and streaming information. With league phase fixtures taking place across multiple midweek dates and time slots, these platforms help fans quickly see when their team plays, what’s on today and how each result shapes the road to Budapest.