Champions League Returns as PSG Chase Historic Third Straight Title

Posted : 07 September 2026

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase begins this week, with Paris Saint-Germain aiming to make history by becoming only the second club in the modern era to win the competition three seasons in a row. The new campaign gets underway on September 8, with 36 teams competing in the league phase and each side playing eight matches against different opponents.

PSG enter the competition as defending champions after retaining the trophy by defeating Arsenal in last season’s final. Luis Enrique’s team have already joined Real Madrid as the only clubs to win consecutive Champions League titles since the competition adopted its modern name in 1992, but a third successive triumph would put them alongside an elite group that includes Real Madrid, Ajax and Bayern Munich.

The French champions will face another demanding league phase, with Manchester City, Barcelona and Aston Villa among their opponents. PSG have struggled to finish inside the top eight in both previous editions of the new format, forcing them to navigate the knockout play-offs before eventually going on to lift the trophy.

Arsenal will again be among the leading contenders after reaching the final last season. Mikel Arteta’s side have progressed from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals and then the final over the past three campaigns, and their latest European journey begins with a difficult trip to Napoli on September 9.

The Premier League has five representatives in this season’s competition, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa all involved. Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan are also expected to challenge strongly, while Atletico Madrid will be particularly motivated with the final scheduled to take place at their home stadium, the Metropolitano in Madrid, on June 5, 2027.

The competition will also welcome several less familiar names. Como qualified after finishing fourth in Serie A under Cesc Fabregas, while Norwegian champions Viking and Azerbaijani title winners Sabah have reached the league phase. Sabah face Manchester United at Old Trafford in their opening match, while Viking begin away to Stuttgart.

With the expanded league phase providing eight matches for every club, the campaign promises a mixture of heavyweight encounters and historic first appearances. For clubs from smaller leagues, participation also brings major financial rewards, making qualification itself a significant achievement.

Champions League Returns as PSG Chase Historic Third Straight Title

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