Arsenal are back in the Champions League for the 2026/27 season, with eight league-phase fixtures standing between Mikel Arteta’s side and another run at the knockout stages.
The Gunners return to Europe after reaching the 2026 Champions League final, where Paris Saint-Germain retained the trophy after beating Arsenal on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Budapest.
Arsenal automatically qualified for the 2026/27 league phase and will play four matches at the Emirates Stadium and four away from home.
Arsenal Champions League fixtures 2026/27
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 9 September 2026 | Napoli vs Arsenal |
| 13 October 2026 | Arsenal vs Lille |
| 21 October 2026 | Bayern Munich vs Arsenal |
| 4 November 2026 | Slavia Prague vs Arsenal |
| 24 November 2026 | Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund |
| 9 December 2026 | Arsenal vs Real Madrid |
| 20 January 2027 | Real Betis vs Arsenal |
| 27 January 2027 | Arsenal vs Sabah |
UEFA confirmed the complete league-phase fixture schedule following the draw in Monaco.
Who will Arsenal face in the Champions League?
Arsenal were placed in Pot 1 for the league-phase draw alongside clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Inter and Atletico Madrid.
Their eight opponents are:
Home
- Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund
- Lille
- Sabah
Away
- Bayern Munich
- Real Betis
- Napoli
- Slavia Prague
There are some enormous fixtures in that schedule, particularly the visits of Real Madrid and Dortmund to the Emirates and Arsenal’s trip to Bayern.
The away opener against Napoli arrives particularly quickly, with Arsenal beginning their European campaign on 9 September.
How does the Champions League league phase work?
The Champions League uses a 36-team league phase rather than the old eight-group format.
Each club plays eight different opponents, consisting of four home fixtures and four away fixtures. All 36 clubs then sit in one overall league table.
The qualification system is:
| League position | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1st–8th | Directly qualify for round of 16 |
| 9th–24th | Enter knockout phase play-offs |
| 25th–36th | Eliminated |
So Arsenal do not need to win a traditional four-team group.
Instead, every result contributes to their position across the single 36-club league table.
When does the Champions League league phase finish?
Arsenal’s eighth and final league-phase game is at home to Sabah on 27 January 2027.
The league phase begins across Europe on 8 September and concludes on 27 January, when the final 18 matches are played simultaneously.
The major knockout dates are:
- Knockout play-offs: 16/17 and 23/24 February
- Round of 16: 9/10 and 16/17 March
- Quarter-finals: 6/7 and 13/14 April
- Semi-finals: 27/28 April and 4/5 May
- Final: 5 June 2027
The final will be staged at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
Arsenal return after Champions League final heartbreak
Arsenal came agonisingly close to winning the Champions League in 2025/26.
Arteta’s side defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals before meeting holders Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
The final finished 1-1 before PSG won the penalty shootout 4-3, denying Arsenal their first Champions League trophy.
That gives the 2026/27 campaign obvious significance.
Arsenal aren’t simply returning to Champions League football. They’re attempting to go one step further after reaching the final the previous season.
Arsenal’s biggest league-phase fixtures
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal
One of Arsenal’s toughest away assignments comes in Munich on 21 October.
The fixture also carries considerable European history between the clubs and should become one of the biggest individual match-search opportunities of the league phase.
Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund visit the Emirates on 24 November in another major European night.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arguably the standout home fixture takes place on 9 December, when Real Madrid visit north London.
Napoli vs Arsenal
This one matters immediately because it opens Arsenal’s campaign on 9 September.
Arsenal Champions League FAQ
Are Arsenal in the Champions League in 2026/27?
Yes. Arsenal qualified automatically for the 2026/27 Champions League league phase and will compete in the competition for a fourth consecutive season.
Who do Arsenal play in the Champions League?
Arsenal face Napoli, Lille, Bayern Munich, Slavia Prague, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, Real Betis and Sabah during the league phase.
When is Arsenal’s first Champions League game?
Arsenal begin away against Napoli on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
How many Champions League games will Arsenal play in the league phase?
Eight: four at home and four away.
What position do Arsenal need to qualify?
A top-eight finish sends Arsenal directly into the round of 16. Finishing from ninth to 24th means entering the knockout phase play-offs. Teams finishing 25th or below are eliminated.
When is the 2027 Champions League final?
The final takes place on Saturday 5 June 2027 at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
