Chelsea's 2025-26 Champions League Opponents Revealed: Who Will the Blues Face?

Chelsea have returned to Europe's elite competition and now discover their eight league phase adversaries for the 2025–26 Champions League campaign.
The London club has been absent from Europe's top tournament for two consecutive seasons but still managed to capture continental silverware in 2024–25 by winning the Conference League.
Nevertheless, the two-time European champions, who last lifted the trophy in 2020–21, will be hungry for an even greater achievement this season to complement the FIFA Club World Cup they claimed during the summer.
Below are Chelsea's confirmed Champions League league phase matchups for the 2025–26 campaign.
Complete Roster of Chelsea's Champions League 2025–26 League Phase Matchups
Club | Country | Pot |
---|---|---|
Barcelona (H) | Spain | 1 |
Bayern Munich (A) | Germany | 1 |
Benfica (H) | Portugal | 2 |
Atalanta (A) | Italy | 2 |
Ajax (H) | Netherlands | 3 |
Napoli (A) | Italy | 3 |
Pafos (H) | Cyprus | 4 |
Qarabağ (A) | Azerbaijan | 4 |
Chelsea will experience a rematch of the 2011–12 Champions League final, which they secured via penalty shootout, when they travel to face Bayern Munich. The Blues will also encounter Barcelona, whom they defeated in that campaign's semi-final, from Pot 1, with this encounter taking place at Stamford Bridge.
From Pot 2, Chelsea face Portugal's Benfica, whom they overcame at the Club World Cup, and Atalanta—the 2023–24 Europa League champions.
Serie A titleholders Napoli present a challenging assignment for Chelsea from Pot 3, alongside Dutch giants Ajax. The Blues have received a more favorable draw from Pot 4, welcoming Cypriot newcomers Pafos and traveling to face Azerbaijani outfit Qarabağ.
2025–26 Champions League: Complete League Phase Calendar
Matchday | Date |
---|---|
Matchday 1 | September 16-18, 2025 |
Matchday 2 | September 30-October 1, 2025 |
Matchday 3 | October 21-22, 2025 |
Matchday 4 | November 4-5, 2025 |
Matchday 5 | November 25-26, 2025 |
Matchday 6 | December 9-10, 2025 |
Matchday 7 | January 20-21, 2026 |
Matchday 8 | January 28, 2026 |