The UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2026-27 is set to continue with its second round of matches this week, featuring 36 teams across Europe. After the opening fixtures, Paris Saint-Germain, two-time champions, lead the standings with three points, followed closely by Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who have also won their initial matches.
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The league phase format of the competition, now in its third year, commenced in September and will continue until January 2027, followed by the knockout stages, with the champion crowned in early June.
This season marks a significant change, as 36 teams participate in the main round, an increase from the previous format of 32. Since 2003, the UCL has typically featured 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two advancing to the knockout stage. However, from the 2024-25 season, a new Swiss system will be in place, allowing each team to play eight different opponents rather than the standard six.
At the conclusion of the league phase, the top eight teams will qualify directly for the knockout rounds, while those placed ninth to 24th will enter a playoff to secure their spots. Teams ranked 25th and lower will be eliminated. The knockout rounds include the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
Upcoming league phase matches are scheduled as follows:
- Matchday 1: September 8-10
- Matchday 2: October 13-14
- Matchday 3: October 20-21
- Matchday 4: November 3-4
- Matchday 5: November 24-25
- Matchday 6: December 8-9
- Matchday 7: January 19-20
- Matchday 8: January 27
The knockout matches will take place on the following dates in 2027:
- Playoffs: February 16, 17 and 23, 24
- Round of 16: March 9, 10 and 16, 17
- Quarterfinals: April 6, 7 and 13, 14
- Semifinals: April 27, 28 and May 4, 5
- Final: June 5
Key matches to watch this week include Arsenal vs Lille, Atletico vs Manchester United, Galatasaray vs Barcelona, Manchester City vs PSG, and AS Roma vs Real Madrid. Next week, notable matchups include PSG vs Barcelona and Liverpool vs Villarreal.
Key storylines include Manchester City’s upcoming match against PSG, marking their first UCL game following an independent commission finding the club guilty of multiple Premier League financial rule violations. Additionally, Manchester United will look to find form against Atletico Madrid, while Jose Mourinho faces his former club AS Roma as Real Madrid visits the Italian capital.
Top players to watch this season include PSG's Ferran Torres and Ermedin Demirovic of Stuttgart, who are currently tied as the top scorers, along with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, and PSG's Ousmane Dembele, each of whom scored two goals in their respective opening matches.