Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Manchester City Champions League Opponents for 2025-26 Season: Who Are They Playing, Where and When?

Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League 2025-26 journey begins with renewed ambition after a challenging campaign last season. The Premier League champions have been drawn against a mix of European heavyweights and tricky opponents under the new league-phase format introduced last year.

Pep Guardiola’s men exited at the play-off stage in the previous edition after finishing 22nd in the league table. This time, with fresh faces and key tactical adjustments, City will be targeting a top-eight finish that guarantees a direct path to the Round of 16. Citizens will approach the Champions League following an eventful summer.

Our 2025/26 @ChampionsLeague league phase opponents 📋👇 pic.twitter.com/i2F4mmsVNu
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 28, 2025

They’ve had a solid start to their domestic campaign. After losing Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli, Guardiola reinforced his squad with Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Cherki. Pre-season featured wins against top European sides, and early Premier League form suggests City remain strong contenders on all fronts.

Manchester City Opponents for Champions League 2025-26

The draw pits City against some of Europe’s biggest names, promising some mouthwatering clashes. Real Madrid will await them at the Santiago Bernabeu. They are a familiar rival that ended City’s hopes last season after a dramatic two-legged tie. Borussia Dortmund will return to the Etihad.

Also Read: Arsenal Champions League Opponents for 2025-26 Season: Who Are They Playing, Where and When?

Erling Haaland is set to face his former club once again. Meanwhile, Napoli, led by Antonio Conte and featuring former City talisman Kevin De Bruyne, will bring Serie A champions’ quality to Manchester. Among the other opponents, Bayer Leverkusen, now managed by Erik ten Hag will provide a fresh challenge at home.

Meanwhile, Villarreal promise a tough trip to Spain with their knockout pedigree. Galatasaray will test City’s resolve at the Etihad with their passionate fanbase traveling in numbers. Whereas, Bodo/Glimt will offer a first-ever meeting in European competition. They’ve impressed in the Europa League last season.

Finally, AS Monaco, famous for eliminating City in 2017, will host Guardiola’s side in a nostalgic fixture. City will aim to win at least five of their eight matches, which could secure a top-eight finish and direct entry to the Round of 16. A slip-up or two may still leave them in the play-off mix. However, on paper, this is a draw they can navigate successfully.

Also Read: Real Madrid Champions League Opponents for 2025/26: Who are they playing, Where and When?

Manchester City UCL 2025-26 League Phase Fixtures

UEFA will confirm the full schedule and kick-off times by Saturday, 30 August. However, it’s known that the matches will take place between September 2025 and January 2026. City’s home ties will be against:

Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen
Napoli
Galatasaray

Their away fixtures will be:

Real Madrid
Villarreal
Bodo/Glimt
AS Monaco

With Budapest set to host the 2026 final, Guardiola and his squad will look to reclaim their status as Europe’s most dominant side this season.

Borussia Dortmund

Champions League

Manchester City

Napoli

Real Madrid

UCL 2024-25

UCL 2025-26

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.