Having sealed their place in the Champions League on the final day of last season, Manchester City will aim to reach the knockout stage after a season away following their play-off defeat to Real Madrid following the 2024/25 league phase. City finished third in the Premier League during a season of struggle by their stratospheric standards and have landed another date with Madrid in the league phase this time in Europe, as well as a meeting with menacing striker Erling Haaland's former club, Borussia Dortmund.
Back in the Champions League for the first time since 2022/23, Chelsea will aim to go all the way for the first time since they beat Manchester City 1-0 in the 2020/21 final under current England head coach Thomas Tuchel. The Blues finished fourth in the 2024/25 Premier League at the end of their first season under Enzo Maresca and have landed meetings with six-time Champions League winners Bayern Munich and five-time winners Barcelona among their league phase matches in the Champions League.
Back in the Champions League for a third consecutive season, Arsenal are hoping to go all the way in 2025/26 after being beaten home and away by champions Paris Saint-Germain in last season's semi-finals. The Gunners finished second by 10 points to Liverpool in the 2024/25 Premier League and were handed dates with 2025/26 Champions League finalists Inter and six-time winners Bayern Munich among their league phase matches. Arsenal have reached the knockout stage in each of their Champions League appearances since the 2000/01 season.
