PSG handed Barcelona and Manchester City in Champions League league-phase draw

Paris St Germain will face Barcelona and Manchester City in the Champions League league phase as the holders begin their defence of the trophy against two of Europe’s leading clubs.

The draw, held in Monaco on Thursday, also set up a repeat meeting between Real Madrid and Inter Milan, while Arsenal will travel to face the record 15-time European champions.

Luis Enrique’s PSG defeated Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties in May’s Champions League final to retain the title. They will host Barcelona and make the trip to Manchester City during the league phase.

The French side’s remaining opponents are Roma, Aston Villa, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Slovan Bratislava and Como.

The league phase format, which replaced the traditional group stage in the 2024-25 season, is now entering its third campaign.

Real Madrid will welcome Inter Milan to the Santiago Bernabeu and travel to Arsenal. Their other fixtures are against PSV Eindhoven, Roma, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK and AEK Athens.

The match against Inter will have added significance for Real manager Jose Mourinho, who will come up against one of his former clubs. Mourinho returned for a second spell in charge of Real in June, having previously guided Inter to Champions League glory in 2010 before leaving for the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bayern Munich, six-time European champions, have been drawn to play Arsenal at home and visit Atletico Madrid and Manchester United.

Liverpool, also six-time European champions, will face Inter and Atletico Madrid among their standout fixtures under new manager Andoni Iraola.

England and Spain provide the largest number of teams in this season’s competition, with five clubs from each country. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool represent England, while Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis make up the Spanish contingent.

Manchester United are returning to Europe’s elite club competition after a two-season absence. Their schedule includes a difficult visit to Atletico Madrid, along with home matches against Bayern Munich and Roma.

The league phase begins on 8 September, with 36 teams playing across eight match days before the opening stage concludes on 27 January. The knockout phase starts in February, and the final will be held on 5 June at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.

The Madrid venue will host the Champions League final for the second time. It previously staged Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

Atletico Madrid face one of the most demanding league-phase schedules. Bayern Munich and Manchester United will visit Madrid, while Diego Simeone’s side must also travel to Liverpool.

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry was also named as the recipient of Uefa’s President’s Award.