CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW: PSG TO FACE BARCELONA, MAN CITY, VILLA

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a challenging Champions League league-phase draw, with fixtures against Barcelona, Manchester City and Aston Villa among their eight matches.

PSG, who defeated Arsenal on penalties in May to retain the trophy, will host Barcelona, Roma, Turkish champions Galatasaray and Slovakia’s Slovan Bratislava.

Luis Enrique’s side will also travel to England to face Manchester City and Aston Villa, both of whom they defeated during their run to their maiden Champions League title in 2025. The French champions will additionally visit Villarreal in Spain and Como in Italy, coached by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

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The league phase is scheduled to begin between September 8 and 10, with the final round of matches set for late January. UEFA is expected to release the complete fixture schedule on Saturday.

Last season’s runners-up Arsenal will host Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Azerbaijani club Sabah, who reached the league phase for the first time after progressing through four qualifying rounds.

The Gunners will also face difficult away trips to Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will host Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal and Lens, while travelling to Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Austrian debutants LASK.

Manchester United, who were drawn from the second seeding pot, have home fixtures against Bayern Munich, Roma, RB Leipzig and Sabah. Their away matches will see them take on Atletico Madrid, Sporting CP, Villarreal and Como.

Other standout fixtures include Manchester City’s trip to Barcelona and Real Madrid’s home clash with Inter Milan. Europa League winners Aston Villa will travel to Barcelona and host Dortmund, while also facing Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce are returning to the Champions League proper for the first time since the 2008/09 season after defeating Lyon in this week’s play-offs.

Como, Sabah and LASK are among the new faces in this season’s competition, while Norwegian champions Viking will also make their Champions League debut.

The 2026/27 campaign marks the third season under the expanded format, with 36 clubs competing in a single league and each team playing eight matches against different opponents.

The Champions League final is scheduled to take place at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium on June 5, 2027.