What's happened
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season has begun with key matches including Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid, Manchester City vs. Napoli, Newcastle vs. Barcelona, and Chelsea vs. Bayern Munich. The tournament features a new league format with 36 teams, and matches are streaming on Paramount+ and DAZN. Significant club moves and early results set the tone for the season.
What's behind the headline?
The opening of the Champions League under the new league format marks a significant shift in European club football. The expanded league phase, replacing the traditional group stage, increases the number of matches between top-tier teams early in the season, potentially elevating the level of competition and unpredictability.
Guardiola's Manchester City, despite a slow start domestically, has demonstrated resilience with key victories in the Champions League, including a win over Napoli. Their approach to the season reflects a focus on development over immediate results, aligning with Guardiola's broader tactical evolution.
Liverpool's strong start and their opening match against Atletico Madrid highlight their intent to reclaim European dominance. Meanwhile, the early struggles of clubs like Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich suggest that the new format may favor teams with deeper squad depth and tactical flexibility.
Streaming platforms like Paramount+ and DAZN are now central to viewing the tournament, emphasizing the shift towards digital consumption of football. The tournament's scheduling and format changes will likely influence team strategies and fan engagement, making this season one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
Overall, the season's early results and structural changes indicate a more competitive and dynamic Champions League, with the potential for surprises and new contenders emerging as the season progresses.
What the papers say
The Guardian provides detailed insights into Guardiola's tactical adjustments and the implications of the new format, emphasizing the strategic shifts among top clubs. Al Jazeera highlights the broader European context, including the participation of historic clubs like Barcelona and Bayern, and the tournament's expansion. The NY Post offers a comprehensive overview of the season's key fixtures, streaming options, and the significance of early results, including Kevin De Bruyne's return to Etihad as Napoli's player. These sources collectively underscore the season's competitive intensity and the structural evolution of Europe's premier club competition.
How we got here
The 2025-26 Champions League season introduces a new league format replacing the traditional group stage, with 36 teams competing in a single league phase. Major clubs like Barcelona, Bayern, and Liverpool are participating, with some facing early challenges. The tournament continues to be a showcase for Europe's top clubs, with streaming on Paramount+ and DAZN, and the final scheduled for Budapest in May 2026.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Are the Key Highlights of the 2025-26 Champions League Season?
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season has kicked off with exciting matchups, a new tournament format, and early results that are shaping the competition. Fans are eager to know which teams are leading, how to watch the matches online, and what new rules are in place. Below, you'll find answers to the most common questions about this thrilling season.
More on these topics
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Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club in Liverpool, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
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The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competition winners through a group and knockout format.
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Manchester City Football Club is an English football club based in Manchester that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's, it became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City i
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Club Atlético de Madrid, S.A.D., commonly referred to as Atlético Madrid in English or simply as Atlético or Atleti, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid, that play in La Liga.
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Chelsea Football Club are an English professional football club based in Fulham, London. Founded in 1905, the club competes in the Premier League, the top division of English football.
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Futbol Club Barcelona, commonly referred to as Barcelona and colloquially known as Barça, is a Spanish professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Arsenal Football Club is a professional football club based in Islington, London, England, that plays in the Premier League, the top flight of English football.
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Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain, Paris SG, or simply Paris or PSG, is a French professional football club based in Paris. They compete in Ligue 1, the top division of French football.
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Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.
Founded on 6 March 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn a white home kit since inception.