Mikel Arteta’s side are once again among Europe’s elite after an excellent Champions League campaign last season, when [Arsenal reached the final before eventually missing out on the trophy.](https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-heartbroken-as-psg-win-champions-league-on-penalties-after-epic-budapest-battle/416035)
Arsenal have discovered their eight opponents for the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, with Mikel Arteta’s side handed some mouthwatering ties following Thursday evening’s draw in Monaco. The standout fixture will see Real Madrid visit the Emirates Stadium, while the Gunners also face a huge trip to Germany to take on Bayern Munich, as Arsenal begin another bid to conquer Europe after reaching last season’s final.
**Arsenal’s Champions League opponents**
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**Home:**
* Real Madrid
* Borussia Dortmund
* Lille
* Sabah
**Away:**
* Bayern Munich
* Real Betis
* Napoli
* Slavia Praha
Under the league-phase format, Arsenal will play eight different opponents, with four matches taking place at the Emirates Stadium and four away from home.
Each club faces two teams from each of the four pots, playing one of those opponents at home and the other away. Clubs cannot, in principle, face teams from their own domestic association during the league phase.
That means Arsenal cannot be paired with any of the other English clubs involved in this season’s competition.
The 36 teams will all compete in one league table, rather than the traditional Champions League groups. Every result therefore contributes towards Arsenal’s position in the overall standings.
The top eight teams at the end of the league phase qualify automatically for the last 16, while the clubs finishing between ninth and 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs. Teams finishing 25th or below are eliminated from European competition.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
**When will Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures be confirmed?**
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Although Thursday’s draw determines Arsenal’s eight opponents and which four they will face at home and away, supporters will have to wait a little longer to discover exactly when those matches will take place.
UEFA has confirmed that the complete Champions League fixture list, including match dates and kick-off times, will be announced **no later than Saturday, 29 August**.
The league phase begins on **8 September**, with the eight matchdays taking place across September, October, November, December and January.
The scheduled matchday windows are:
**Matchday 1:** 8–10 September 2026
**Matchday 2:** 13/14 October 2026
**Matchday 3:** 20/21 October 2026
**Matchday 4:** 3/4 November 2026
**Matchday 5:** 24/25 November 2026
**Matchday 6:** 8/9 December 2026
**Matchday 7:** 19/20 January 2027
**Matchday 8:** 27 January 2027
Arsenal will hope to put themselves firmly among the leading eight teams and secure direct qualification for the last 16 rather than having to negotiate the additional knockout play-off round.
After going agonisingly close to winning the competition last season, another Champions League adventure now lies ahead for Arteta and his players.
What do you make of Arsenal’s Champions League draw? Which fixture are you most looking forward to, and do you think the Gunners can go one step further in Europe this season? Let us know in the comments. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
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