City will compete in Europe’s elite club competition for the 15th successive season, which is the longest ongoing run amongst English sides and a mark of our exceptional consistency.
Pep Guardiola’s side will be going for a second success, having lifted the famous trophy back in 2023.
When and where
The league phase draw for the 2025/26 Champions League will be made at 17:00 (UK) on Thursday 28 August.
Format
The format of the league phase remains the same as in 2024/25, with all 36 teams entering into one league table.
After eight matches, the top eight will progress straight to the Round of 16 while the sides placed ninth to 24th will go into a play-off round.
As for the draw, each of the 36 teams will be placed into one of four seeded pots and pitted against two clubs from each pot.
We will play half of our fixtures - one against a team from each pot - at the Etihad Stadium and the other half away from home.
Teams involved
England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle
Azerbaijan: Qarabag
Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge
Cyprus: Pafos
Czechia: Slavia Prague
Denmark: FC Copenhagen
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund
Greece: Olympiacos
Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
Kazakhstan: Kairat Almaty
Netherlands: PSV, Ajax
Norway: Bodo/Glimt
Portugal: Sporting CP, Benfica
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
Turkey: Galatasaray
Confirmed pots
City will face two teams from each pot - one home and one away.
Pot 1
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Real Madrid (ESP)
Manchester City (ENG)
Bayern Munich (GER)
Liverpool (ENG)
Inter (ITA)
Chelsea (ENG)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Barcelona (ESP)
Pot 2
Arsenal (ENG)
Leverkusen (GER)
Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Benfica (POR)
Atalanta (ITA)
Villarreal (ESP)
Juventus (ITA)
Frankfurt (GER)
Club Brugge (BEL)
Pot 3
Tottenham (ENG)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Ajax (NED)
Napoli (ITA)
Sporting CP (POR)
Olympiacos (GRE)
Slavia Prague (CZE)
Bodø/Glimt (NOR)
Marseille (FRA)
Pot 4
Copenhagen (DEN)
Monaco (FRA)
Galatasaray (TUR)
Union SG (BEL)
Qarabağ (AZE)
Athletic Club (ESP)
Newcastle (ENG)
Pafos (CYP)
Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
League phase match dates
Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
How to follow
As always, we’ll cover the draw in full on mancity.com and our official app.
We’ll tell you all eight of our opponents as soon as they’re drawn before confirming kick-off dates and times once they’re agreed.
