Champions League 2026/27 Is Back: Matchday 1 Recap and the Shirts to Watch
Last updated: 9 September 2026 · 7 min read · Jersey Chest Football Kit Team
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase kicked off on 8 September, and the opening three days delivered exactly what this competition promises: drama under the floodlights, heavyweights colliding, and a few early statements. Real Madrid edged Inter Milan 2-1 at the Bernabéu, Manchester City cruised past Porto 2-0, and Borussia Dortmund came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 3-2. Below is the full Matchday 1 story, plus the Champions League jerseys every fan should have on their radar.
Key takeaways
- Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan: Mbappé and Valverde scored before half-time; Dimarco pulled one back after the break.
- Manchester City 2-0 Porto: Erling Haaland headed one and tapped another to make it three goals in three Premier League games.
- Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Villarreal: Guirassy won and converted a late penalty after BVB trailed 2-0.
- Wednesday’s headline ties: Barcelona vs Feyenoord, Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid, Napoli vs Arsenal.
- Thursday opens with Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt and Como vs RB Leipzig.
On this page
1. Tuesday night: Madrid, City and Dortmund deliver
2. Wednesday: Barcelona, Liverpool and the London/Italy tests
3. Thursday: Bayern, Manchester United and Como’s debut
4. The Champions League shirts to watch
5. Frequently asked questions
Tuesday Night: Madrid, City and Dortmund Deliver
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan. José Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid began in Europe with a reunion against the club he led to the 2010 title. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, Federico Valverde doubled the lead after an Inter mistake, and Federico Dimarco’s second-half strike set up a tense finish. Thibaut Courtois made the saves that mattered, and Madrid took all three points.
Manchester City 2-0 Porto. Pep Guardiola’s side went to the Estádio do Dragão and left with a clean sheet and two goals from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian headed in Enzo Fernández’s cross shortly after half-time and added a second in stoppage time. Diogo Costa kept the scoreline respectable, but City never looked troubled.
Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Villarreal. The most dramatic comeback of the night came in Germany. Villarreal led 2-0 after an own goal and a Santiago Mouriño header, but Serhou Guirassy led the response with a close-range finish and an 85th-minute penalty. The late winner came via an unfortunate own goal at the other end, but Dortmund will not care how the points arrived.
Wednesday: Barcelona, Liverpool and the London/Italy Tests
Wednesday’s slate is stacked. Barcelona host Feyenoord at the Spotify Camp Nou with Lamine Yamal chasing the record for most Champions League goals by a player aged 20 or under. Liverpool welcome Atlético Madrid to Anfield in a repeat of last season’s Matchday 1 thriller, which the Reds won 3-2. Napoli vs Arsenal pits the Serie A champions against a side that lost last season’s final on penalties, while Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defence at home to Slovan Bratislava.
Also keep an eye on Sporting CP vs Galatasaray and Stuttgart vs Viking — the latter is Viking’s first-ever Champions League league phase appearance, and Stuttgart are still searching for their first Matchday 1 win in the competition.
Thursday: Bayern, Manchester United and Como’s Debut
Thursday’s highlight is Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt at the Allianz Arena. Bayern were held 0-0 by Schalke at the weekend — their first blank in the Bundesliga since February 2025 — and will want a fast start in Europe. Manchester United return to the competition after a two-season absence, hosting Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.
The romantic story of Matchday 1 is Como. The Italian club, back in the top flight and now in Europe, travel to Leipzig for their first Champions League game in the modern era. It is exactly the kind of fixture that makes the expanded league phase worth watching.
The Champions League Shirts to Watch
Every one of these clubs has a new 2026/27 kit, and the Champions League is where those shirts get their biggest stage. Below are the clubs that will sell the most jerseys this season, with direct links to their collections.
Browse the full UEFA Champions League collection for every club in the 2026/27 league phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026/27 Champions League league phase start?
Matchday 1 began on Tuesday 8 September 2026 and runs through Thursday 10 September 2026. The league phase continues until 27 January 2027, with the final scheduled for 5 June 2027 at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
What is the new Champions League format?
The competition uses a 36-team single league phase. Each team plays eight different opponents, four at home and four away. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th enter a two-legged play-off.
Which teams are the favourites for the 2026/27 Champions League?
Holders Paris Saint-Germain are aiming for a third straight title. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal are among the other leading contenders based on squad strength and early-season form.
Where can I buy Champions League 2026/27 jerseys?
Jersey Chest stocks 2026/27 kits for every major Champions League club, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Arsenal, PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. Shop by club or browse the full UEFA Champions League collection.
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