Manchester, England — Manchester City will face Kevin De Bruyne’s new club Napoli at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, September 18, to kick off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign.
De Bruyne joined Napoli in June after a decade of success with Manchester City, including winning the Champions League in 2023.
The 36-team league phase of the Champions League will run over three days, with other notable opening fixtures including Chelsea vs Bayern Munich on September 17 and Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid the same night.
Newcastle United will welcome Barcelona on September 18, marking their return to Europe’s elite competition, while Arsenal starts away to Athletic Bilbao on September 16.
Tottenham Hotspur begins with a home game against Villarreal, and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain face Atalanta in Paris.
This opening slate promises intense encounters as Europe’s top clubs vie for continental glory.
By Taiwo Olatinwo | August 30, 2025
