Newcastle United will be in the pot for the highly anticipated Champions League draw on Thursday evening.
After a year out, the Magpies are back in Europe’s premier competition and are hoping to make a good account of themselves, even if they do not have their star striker.
Newcastle United will be in pot four of the Champions League for the 2025/26 season, and are one of the lowest-ranked teams in this campaign’s tournament. That will not stop the fans from dreaming of success in Europe this season, however, as they take part in their first tournament since the new league format was introduced.
Instead of the traditional group stages with six games, Newcastle will play eight different teams once in the Champions League, two teams from each pot.
There are some sensational European nights in the offing for fans this season, but those nights come with their challenges. Ahead of the draw, Geordie Boot Boys looks at the best and worst possible Champions League fixtures for Newcastle.
The Champions League trophy on a stand at the Allianz Arena.
Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Newcastle United’s worst possible Champions League draw
In pre-season, Newcastle tested themselves by scheduling friendlies against other teams that will be competing in the Champions League this season.
Unfortunately, Newcastle failed to pick up a single win during pre-season, losing to the likes of Celtic and Arsenal.
Their last pre-season game was the Sela Cup clash against Atletico Madrid, which they lost 2-0. If the draw goes terribly for them, then Newcastle will be matched up with the La Liga giants, this time for a competitive fixture with a lot more at stake.
Newcastle United’s worst possible Champions League fixtures Pot
PSG 1
Real Madrid 1
Bayer Leverkusen 2
Atletico Madrid 2
PSV Eindhoven 3
Ajax 3
FC Copenhagen 4
AS Monaco 4
Fixtures based on provisional projected pots and UEFA coefficient points
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Newcastle have a recent history with PSG in the Champions League. Fans will never forget the Magpies’ historic 4-1 win against the French giants at St James’ Park, though they would rather forget the 1-1 draw in Paris, which saw a controversial penalty awarded deep into stoppage time.
Elsewhere, the worst draw could bring up an exciting trip to the Bernabeu to play Real Madrid, and over to Holland for games against PSV Eindhoven and Ajax.
While there are some great teams involved in every pot, the teams above are considered the best based on UEFA’s coefficient rankings.
Newcastle United’s best possible Champions League draw
Newcastle gave a good account of themselves in their last Champions League campaign, going toe to toe with the likes of PSG and AC Milan. However, the new campaign could be a completely different story with eight separate teams to face.
The Champions League is known to be a very lucrative competition, and the Magpies are well aware of that. Newcastle have already earned £17m from qualifying for the Champions League, and will receive £1.8m for every win in the league phase.
While top European nights against the likes of Real Madrid and PSG are up for grabs in the worst possible draw, there are some slightly more favourable games in the best possible draw.
Newcastle United’s best possible Champions League fixtures Pot
Borussia Dortmund 1
Barcelona 1
Eintracht Frankfurt 2
Club Brugge 2
Bodo/Glimt 3
Marseille 3
Kairat 4
Pafos 4
Fixtures based on provisional projected pots and UEFA coefficient points on 26/08/25
Newcastle have the chance to run back a Champions League classic with their best possible draw, as it would see them matched up with La Liga side Barcelona, who the Magpies famously beat at St James’ Park in 1997.
Elsewhere, exciting clashes against the likes of Marseille and Athletic Bilbao could be in the offing, as well as a game against Cypriot side Pafos, who have been a big surprise in the qualifying rounds.