The kings of the UEFA Champions League will have a new-look this season as Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid return to their beloved competition.
Los Blancos have undergone sweeping changes this summer with Alonso drafted in to replace Carlo Ancelotti after a trophyless 2024/25.
Ancelotti's side initially struggled with the new league phase format of Europe's top club tournament before being knocked out in the quarterfinals by a rampant Arsenal.
Alonso also came up short in the FIFA Club World Cup, losing out to PSG in the semifinals, and the 15-time winners have a fresh look.
Former captain Luka Modric has moved on after 13 years in the Spanish capital with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono all arriving at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Here is how their Champions League schedule looks for the league phase in 2024/25.
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Real Madrid Champions League first phase opponents
The league phase draw was held on Aug. 28, 2025 with Alonso's first eight games now confirmed.
As per the updated format - now into it's second season - Real Madrid will play eight games against eight different opponents with four matches at home and four away.
The top eight sides in the overall league phase will qualify directly for the Round of 16 knockouts, with teams placed 9th to 24th entering the playoffs.
Real Madrid UCL league phase opponents
- Man City (H)
- Liverpool (A)
- Juventus (H)
- Benfica (A)
- Marseille (H)
- Olympiakos (A)
- AS Monaco (H)
- Kairat Almaty (A)
Real Madrid UCL league phase fixtures
Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Tue, 16 Sep 2025 | 3:00 PM | Real Madrid vs Olympique de Marseille | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
Tue, 30 Sep 2025 | 12:45 PM | Kairat Almaty vs Real Madrid | Central Stadium, Almaty |
Wed, 22 Oct 2025 | 3:00 PM | Real Madrid vs Juventus | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
Tue, 4 Nov 2025 | 3:00 PM | Liverpool vs Real Madrid | Anfield, Liverpool |
Wed, 26 Nov 2025 | 3:00 PM | Olympiacos vs Real Madrid | Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus |
Wed, 10 Dec 2025 | 3:00 PM | Real Madrid vs Manchester City | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
Tue, 20 Jan 2026 | 3:00 PM | Real Madrid vs Monaco | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
Wed, 28 Jan 2026 | 3:00 PM | Benfica vs Real Madrid | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon |
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