Arsenal is ready to face Europe’s top clubs once again as the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League group stage approaches. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the draw at the Foro Grimaldi in Monaco will determine the eight teams the Gunners will meet in the first phase of the competition. Fans across the globe are eagerly waiting to see which clubs Arsenal will face.
Arsenal’s Confirmed Opponents
- Bayern Munich (Home)
- Inter Milan (Away)
- Atlético Madrid (Home)
- Club Brugge (Away)
- Olympiacos (Home)
- Slavia Prague (Away)
- Kairat Almaty (Home)
- Athletic Club (Away)
Preview
Placed in Pot 2 due to its UEFA coefficient and Premier League ranking, Arsenal will avoid domestic clashes with Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Newcastle. The team will play four home and four away matches, ensuring a mix of challenging European encounters and strategic opportunities to secure points.
This season continues with the league phase format introduced last year, where 36 clubs compete in a single ranking over eight matchdays. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while clubs ranked 9th to 24th enter play-offs for a chance to reach the knockout stage. The season will conclude with the final in Budapest on May 30, 2026.
Currently, 32 of the 36 clubs are confirmed, with four spots still to be decided in the final qualifying matches on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Once the draw is complete, fans will know Arsenal’s full group stage schedule, including the toughest tests and potential high-profile clashes.
The Gunners are ready to discover their rivals for the 2025-26 Champions League group stage, with the draw set for August 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
When is Arsenal’s 2025-26 Champions League draw?
The group stage draw takes place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Foro Grimaldi in Monaco. The event starts at 6:00 p.m. CEST (11:00 a.m. Mexico / 12:00 p.m. Peru and Colombia / 1:00 p.m. US ET / 2:00 p.m. Argentina). The draw assigns Arsenal’s eight opponents, beginning with Pot 1 and continuing through Pots 2, 3, and 4. Each team will play four home and four away matches, avoiding teams from the same country. The league phase begins on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, and ends on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Which teams could Arsenal face in the 2025-26 Champions League?
Potential Arsenal group stage opponents include top European clubs from Pots 1, 3, and 4. While domestic rivals are excluded, Arsenal could face elite teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus, Napoli, Tottenham, Benfica, and other strong European sides. The full group stage lineup will be revealed immediately after the draw in Monaco.
Key dates for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League
- League Phase: September 16, 2025 – January 28, 2026
- Play-offs: February 17/18 & 24/25, 2026
- Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
- Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
- Final: May 30, 2026 (Budapest)
