By Oriakhi Loveth
Champions League Opens with 18 Thrilling Clashes in Debut of New Format
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League begins this week with 18 fixtures scheduled between September 16 and 18.
The competition debuts a new league-phase format, featuring 36 clubs playing eight matches each against different opponents.
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Opening round highlights include Real Madrid hosting Marseille, Arsenal facing Athletic Club, Bayern Munich meeting Chelsea, and Liverpool taking on Atlético Madrid.
Other fixtures include Juventus against Borussia Dortmund and Ajax against Inter Milan, both repeat pairings from previous Champions League finals.
Under the revised format, the top eight teams after the league phase will qualify directly for the round of 16.
Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will enter play-offs for the remaining places.
UEFA introduced the expanded format to increase the number of matches and create more high-profile encounters in the early stages of the competition.
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