Champions League 2026-27: Real Madrid and Bayern stand in Arsenal’s path

Premier League champions and European runners-up Arsenal face another demanding campaign, featuring heavyweight encounters with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the league phase.

London has not forgotten Budapest. Three months after Paris Saint-Germain retained the European crown following a painful penalty shootout, Arsenal begin another pursuit of the Champions League. UEFA has confirmed the Gunners’ eight league-phase dates for 2026-27, beginning with a difficult night in Italy.

Naples first, Real Madrid under the Emirates lights

Mikel Arteta’s side start away to Napoli before welcoming Lille to north London. All kick-off times below are UK time.

• Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 20:00: Napoli vs Arsenal
• Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at 20:00: Arsenal vs Lille
• Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 20:00: Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
• Wednesday, 4 November 2026 at 20:00: Slavia Prague vs Arsenal
• Tuesday, 24 November 2026 at 20:00: Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund
• Wednesday, 9 December 2026 at 20:00: Arsenal vs Real Madrid
• Wednesday, 20 January 2027 at 20:00: Real Betis vs Arsenal
• Wednesday, 27 January 2027 at 20:00: Arsenal vs Sabah

The programme is evenly divided between four home fixtures and four away trips. Visits to Napoli, Bayern and Slavia make the opening half especially demanding. Arsenal then host Dortmund and Real Madrid on consecutive matchdays before travelling to Real Betis and ending the phase at home to Sabah.

English champions return with unfinished European business

The Gunners enter this campaign with enhanced status after winning the 2025-26 Premier League title. Arsenal finished on 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City, to secure their first domestic championship in 22 years after three consecutive runners-up finishes.

Their European run was equally impressive. Arteta’s team won all eight league-phase matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding only four. Arsenal remained unbeaten throughout the competition but drew 1-1 with PSG in the final before losing the shootout 4-3. After going so close in Budapest, simply reaching the latter stages will no longer feel sufficient.

An eighth campaign since 2013, but the trophy remains elusive

This will be Arsenal’s eighth Champions League campaign since 2013-14 and their fourth consecutive appearance since returning to the competition. Their progress has been striking: quarter-finalists in 2024, semi-finalists in 2025 and finalists in 2026.

Europe’s biggest trophy nevertheless remains absent from Arsenal’s cabinet. The club lost its first final 2-1 to Barcelona in 2006 before suffering another painful defeat against PSG in 2026. Hosting record champions Real Madrid will therefore provide a symbolic measure of whether the English champions are ready to turn steady progress into a historic first triumph.

Read also: Champions League 2026-27—the biggest fixtures you cannot miss!

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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