Overview

• UEFA and participating clubs approved an official curtain-raiser hosted by the reigning champion at its home stadium.
• The new opener will be the only Champions League match on Tuesday, with other teams beginning their campaigns on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Five of the six Tuesday slots will shift to later midweek dates under the revised schedule.
• UEFA has not confirmed whether the Women’s Champions League will adopt a similar season-opening fixture.
• The change follows the 36-team Swiss-style format introduced in 2024/25, which restructured the competition’s early-season calendar.