The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase got underway on 8 September 2026. The final is set for 5 June 2027 at the Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
It’s the third season under the league phase, so the competition’s format stays familiar: 36 teams, each playing 8 matches against different opponents before the knockout rounds begin.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain enter the new season on the back of a dramatic penalty shootout win over Arsenal in Budapest last May. Currently, Matchday 4 is happening.
This time, the draw has already handed out some heavyweight fixtures, including Barcelona vs PSG, Real Madrid vs Inter, and Arsenal vs Bayern Munich.
When & Where is the UEFA Champions League Happening?
How to Watch UEFA Champions League in Ireland for Free
RTÉ holds non-exclusive free-to-air rights to the Champions League through the 2026-27 season. You can watch one live match every week on RTÉ2 or RTÉ Player. Plus highlights from every other fixture are also available.
Here’s how to watch UEFA Champions League in Ireland for free on RTÉ Player:
Step 1: Go to the RTÉ Player and click on Login
Step 2: Click Sign in
Step 3: Enter your credentials
Step 4: Go to the Live section
Step 5: Select Champions League once RTÉ’s weekly fixture goes live and enjoy free streaming!
How to Watch Every UEFA Champions League Match in Ireland
Premier Sports and TNT Sports share non-exclusive rights to the rest of the fixture list through 2026-27. NOW Sports Extra membership, starting at €17/month, offers both channels in a single subscription.
Here’s how to watch the full UEFA Champions League on mobile via the NOW TV app:
Step 1: Download the NOW TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and tap the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select the Sports Extra plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account via Continue to checkout, or sign in with an existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan, enter your details, and subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Schedule for UEFA Champions League 2026/27Â
| Date | Match | Kickoff (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 4 | ||
| Nov 4, 2026 | Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool | 17:45 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | AEK Athens vs Real Madrid | 17:45 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis | 20:00 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | RB Leipzig vs Manchester City | 20:00 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | FC Porto vs SSC Napoli | 20:00 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | PSV Eindhoven vs Club Brugge | 20:00 |
| Nov 4, 2026 | SK Slavia Prague vs Arsenal | 20:00 |
Other Soccer Leagues to Watch in Ireland
Here’s a list of football tournaments and leagues to watch in Ireland with the help of a VPN like Surfshark:
FAQs – Champions League
1. What format does the Champions League use in 2026-27?
This is the third season under the league phase format. All 36 clubs play eight matches each in a single table, with the top 8 advancing directly to the Round of 16 and 9th-24th going through a play-off round.
2. Which team has the most UEFA Champions League titles?
Real Madrid leads with a record 15 Champions League titles, making them the most successful club in the competition’s history.
3. Who are the defending champions?
Paris Saint-Germain, after beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties (1-1 after extra time) in the 2026 final in Budapest, their second title in a row.
4. Can I watch every Champions League match in Ireland for free?
Not quite. RTÉ Player broadcasts one free match per week. Everything else airs on Premier Sports and TNT Sports, both available through a NOW Sports Extra membership.
Conclusion
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League kicked off its league phase on 8 September 2026, running through to the final on 5 June 2027 at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
You can watch the UEFA Champions League in Ireland via free-to-air coverage on RTÉ Player, or catch every match with Premier Sports and TNT Sports via NOW.
Watching from outside Ireland? You’ll need a VPN to unlock these services. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
