UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Kicks Off Today with 14 Fierce First-Round Qualifiers — Full Fixtures Inside

Champions League action is officially back, just 38 days after PSG’s historic 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan in the 2024/25 final. The 2025/26 campaign kicks off today, July 8, with the first round of qualifying games featuring 28 teams battling for seven coveted spots in the newly expanded 36-team League Phase.

A total of 53 clubs will contest the qualifiers over three rounds and a play-off stage, running from July 8 to August 27. These include league winners, runners-up, and high-placed clubs from across Europe—excluding Liechtenstein and Russia, which are not eligible for participation this season due to federation limitations and UEFA sanctions.

UEFA’s new format sees 29 clubs already qualified based on their domestic performance or continental success, including Champions League and Europa League winners. Newcastle United and Villarreal also made the cut through UEFA’s European Performance Spots, a recent merit-based addition rewarding consistent continental performers.

With 14 fixtures lined up for the first round, fans across Europe will witness fierce clashes today and tomorrow. From Estonia to Wales, Kosovo to San Marino, clubs are dreaming of group stage glory in what is now the biggest Champions League setup in history. All games will be played across two legs, with aggregate scores determining progression to the next round.

Today’s full lineup of fixtures (July 8) is as follows:

• KuPS vs Milsami – 16:00 BST
• Iberia 1999 vs Malmo FF – 17:00 BST
• Noah vs Budućnost Podgorica – 17:00 BST
• Levadia vs Rigas FS – 17:30 BST
• Olimpija Ljubljana vs Kairat Almaty – 18:00 BST
• FC Drita vs FC 03 Differdange – 19:00 BST
• The New Saints FC vs Shkendija – 19:00 BST
• Vikingur vs Lincoln Red Imps – 19:00 BST
• KF Egnatia vs Breidablik – 20:00 BST
• Virtus vs Zrinjski Mostar – 20:00 BST

The return legs for these ties will be played next week. Winners from this round will advance to the second qualifying round, edging closer to the mouthwatering League Phase starting this September.

UEFA has confirmed that all matches will be broadcast via UEFA.tv and local rights holders. With over €2.5 billion in prize money and record global viewership projected, the stakes are sky-high even from this early stage.