The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday, September 16, with the league phase promising drama, history, and high stakes from the very first whistle.
Across three nights, 18 Champions League matches will unfold, offering heavyweight clashes, emotional reunions, and historic debuts.
Three openers carry the weight of finals gone by: Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund revisits 1997, Ajax vs Inter brings echoes of 1972, while Bayern Munich vs Chelsea stirs memories of that unforgettable 2012 showdown in Munich.
Real Madrid chase a historic 200th Champions League victory, Erling Haaland is closing in on his 50th goal, while Union Saint-Gilloise, Pafos, Bodø/Glimt, and Kairat Almaty prepare for debut campaigns with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
From Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional return to Manchester, now in Napoli colours, to Mohamed Salah’s record group-stage streak, the storylines are endless. Fortress stadiums such as Anfield, the Allianz, and San Mamés are ready for nights of noise and drama.
UEFA Champions League – Matchday 1 Fixtures (WAT)
Tuesday, 16 September
PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise – 16:45 WAT, Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
Athletic Club vs Arsenal – 16:45 WAT, San Mamés, Bilbao
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund – 19:00 WAT, Allianz Stadium, Turin
Benfica vs Qarabağ FK – 19:00 WAT, Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal – 19:00 WAT, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Real Madrid vs Marseille – 19:00 WAT, Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Wednesday, 17 September
Olympiacos vs Pafos – 16:45 WAT, Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus
Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt – 16:45 WAT, Fortuna Arena, Prague
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea – 19:00 WAT, Allianz Arena, Munich
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta – 19:00 WAT, Parc des Princes, Paris
Ajax vs Inter Milan – 19:00 WAT, Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid – 19:00 WAT, Anfield, Liverpool
Thursday, 18 September
FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen -16:45 WAT, Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
Club Brugge vs AS Monaco – 16:45 WAT, Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray – 19:00 WAT, Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty – 19:00 WAT, Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
Newcastle United vs Barcelona – 19:00 WAT, St James’ Park, Newcastle
Manchester City vs Napoli – 19:00 WAT, Etihad Stadium, Manchester
How To Watch In Nigeria
SuperSport (TV): All matches will be shown live on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Premier League, and other dedicated channels on DStv and GOtv.
DStv Stream (Online): Subscribers can watch live via the DStv Stream app (available on Android, iOS, and web) at no extra cost, provided they have an active DStv subscription.
Showmax Pro: Offers mobile and smart TV streaming with live coverage of all UCL games, ideal for cord-cutters.
Internationally
UK & Ireland: TNT Sports (Discovery+ streaming).
USA: CBS Sports Network, streaming on Paramount+; Spanish on Univision/TUDN.
Canada: DAZN (exclusive).
Europe: DAZN, Canal+, Sky Sport, Movistar+ (country-specific).
India/South Asia: Sony LIV (streaming), Sony Sports Network (TV).
Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport & DStv Stream.
MENA: beIN Sports.
Australia: Stan Sport.
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