Champions League Schedule 2025/26: Complete Fixture List, Kick-Off Times and Where to Watch

With the league-phase complete, Europe’s elite are braced for the business end of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Below is the full Champions League schedule fans need to bookmark right now. Key knockout-round dates • Knockout play-off draw: 30 January 2026 (Nyon) • Play-off first legs: 17–18 February 2026 • Play-off second legs: 24–25 February 2026 Round of 16 timeline • Draw: 27 February 2026 • First-leg ties: 10–11 March 2026 • Second-leg ties: 17–18 March 2026 Quarter-final & semi-final calendar • Quarter-finals: 7–8 April & 14–15 April 2026 • Semi-finals: 28–29 April & 5–6 May 2026 Grand finale • Final: 30 May 2026 – Puskás Aréna, Budapest How the new format impacts the schedule This is the first campaign under UEFA’s expanded 36-team league phase. The top eight sides progressed directly to the Round of 16, while clubs ranked 9–24 face an extra two-legged play-off to reach the last 16. Expect a congested March as giants that finished outside the top eight cram in four high-stakes matches inside 29 days before a potential quarter-final berth. Viewing information • UK: BT Sport holds exclusive live rights; select matches also stream on discovery+ • USA: CBS Sports/Paramount+ carries every fixture, with Spanish-language coverage on Univision and ViX • India: Sony Sports Network airs all ties; streaming via SonyLIV Kick-off times are slated for 18:45 CET and 21:00 CET, but local listings should be checked for daylight-saving changes. Why March matters for title hopefuls Historically, 72 % of champions since 2000 have won their Round-of-16 tie by at least a two-goal aggregate margin, underlining the importance of establishing momentum early in the spring run-in. With heavyweight clubs such as Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich already seeded, the play-off survivors may find little recovery time before colliding with Europe’s form sides. Travel & ticket pointers UEFA’s ticket portal opens 48 hours after each draw, operating a ballot system. Fans heading to Budapest for the final should note that Puskás Aréna will run digital-only ticketing and a city-wide fan festival from 27 May. SEO takeaway Stay locked on this Champions League schedule hub for draw reactions, confirmed fixtures, kick-off times and broadcast updates as UEFA counts down to its Budapest showdown.