Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Champions League Draw Sets Arsenal–Real Madrid, City–Barcelona Clashes
The Champions League draw decides which football teams will play each other.
Arsenal were drawn against Real Madrid.
Paris Saint-Germain will play both Barcelona and Manchester City.
Manchester City will also play against Rodri, who used to be its midfielder and now plays for Barcelona.
Manchester United are returning to the competition after missing three seasons.
United will play Bayern Munich at home, recalling their 1999 final.
The competition is using a league-phase format for the third season.
The draw took place in Monaco on Thursday.
Arsenal will face 15-time champions Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will play Barcelona and Manchester City.
Manchester City will reunite with former midfielder Rodri when it faces Barcelona.
Manchester United return after three seasons away and will host Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 1999 final.
The Champions League continues its league-phase format for a third season after its 2024/25 introduction.
- Who
- Arsenal, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and other Champions League teams.
- What
- The Champions League league-phase draw set several fixtures, including Arsenal versus Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain versus Barcelona and Manchester City.
- When
- Thursday, August 27, 2026.
- Where
- The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
- Why
- To determine the fixtures for the Champions League league phase.
- Defending champions
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Major fixture
- Arsenal will face 15-time champions Real Madrid.
- Paris Saint-Germain fixtures
- Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona and Manchester City.
- Rodri reunion
- Manchester City will face former midfielder Rodri when it plays Barcelona.
- Manchester United return
- Manchester United return after an absence of three seasons.
- 1999 final repeat
- Manchester United will host Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 1999 Champions League final.
- Competition format
- The league-phase format is being used for the third season after its introduction in 2024/25.