The stage is set to witness fresh excitement with the start of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 season, with its second year of the expanded league-phase format.
This is the first time in history that 36 teams will contest in a single-standings table, each playing eight different opponents drawn from four seeding pots.
The tournament runs from September to January, promising thrilling faceoffs and new challenges across Europe.
Among the biggest storylines this season are the debut appearances of four newcomers on the grand stage: Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, Kazakh champions Kairat Almaty, Cypriot club Pafos, and Belgian titleholders Union Saint-Gilloise. These additions mark the continued growth of European football’s most prestigious competition.
The schedule poses unique logistical hurdles, with games in Bodo and Almaty creating some of the longest-ever travel distances in Champions League history. Matches in northern Norway will be played on heated artificial turf in frigid January conditions, while trips to Almaty are set to test the endurance of players and fans alike.
The league-phase draw paired each club with two opponents from each of the four seeding pots. Retired stars Zlatan Ibrahimović and Kaka handled the ceremonial duties of pulling names from the pots and revealing fixtures, adding glamour to the draw event.
The action begins on September 16, with the final league-phase matchday scheduled for January 28, when all 36 clubs will take the field simultaneously across 18 fixtures. The top eight teams from the standings will progress directly to the round of 16, while clubs ranked ninth to 24th will battle in knockout playoffs in February for the remaining spots. The bottom 12 sides will see their campaigns end after the league phase.
Big Rewards at Stake
UEFA has earmarked a staggering €2.47 billion ($2.88 billion) in prize money for the competition. Every club is guaranteed a significant payout, with Kairat assured of at least €20 million ($23 million) despite being the lowest-ranked participant. Giants such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are set to pocket a minimum of €60 million ($69 million) even before factoring in match results. Ultimately, the Champions League winner could collect around €150 million ($175 million) in total prize money.
Travel Challenges
This edition of the competition features extreme travel distances. Real Madrid, 15-time champions of Europe, along with Club Brugge, Olympiakos and Pafos, have all been drawn to play in Almaty, Kazakhstan. “It’s no problem, it’s football,” remarked Kairat general director Askar Yessimov, urging visiting sides to plan for early arrivals to adapt.
For Kairat, the demands are even tougher. The club will face away games against Inter Milan, Arsenal, Copenhagen, and Sporting Lisbon — the Lisbon trip stretching nearly 7,000 kilometers, likely setting a new record for the competition.
Kazakhstan, a UEFA member since 2002, is still relatively new to the Champions League stage, with Astana’s 2015-16 campaign the most recent appearance before Kairat’s breakthrough. Now, their participation brings a fresh dimension to Europe’s elite football landscape.
Azerbaijan is also represented, with Qarabag hosting games in Baku. Their group includes high-profile journeys for visiting sides such as Liverpool, Benfica, Athletic Bilbao, and Napoli, further adding to the competition’s geographic spread.
As the new format enters its second season, the Champions League promises thrilling football, long-haul drama, and opportunities for underdogs to shine on Europe’s grandest stage.
