Champions League 2026-27 kicks off with Real Madrid vs. Inter top billing
The most newsworthy football story of the last 48 hours is the start of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase, headlined by Real Madrid’s home clash with Inter Milan on September 8. Six fixtures open the revamped league-format stage, with Porto vs. Manchester City and Real Madrid vs. Inter leading a high-profile first night as Europe’s elite return to continental competition.
Real Madrid edge Inter as new-look Champions League kicks off
European football’s spotlight is firmly on the start of the 2026-27 Champions League league phase, with Real Madrid’s home clash against Inter Milan billed as the marquee fixture on opening night.
The new season’s league-format group stage gets underway on Tuesday, September 8, with six matches on the card, headlined by Real Madrid vs. Inter at the Santiago Bernabéu.AFP sports agenda German outlet Fussballnationalmannschaft and multiple fixture lists underline that this is the day’s top game as Europe’s elite return to continental action.
Champions League returns with heavyweight ties
The revamped Champions League league phase opens with a slate of fixtures that mixes traditional giants with ambitious challengers.
According to the AFP sports schedule, Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa and AEK Athens vs. LASK Linz begin the evening in the early kick-off window.AFP sports agenda Later, a stacked primetime lineup features:
- Porto vs. Manchester City
- Real Madrid vs. Inter
The German preview from Fussballnationalmannschaft adds more detail, listing Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal, , , and the Real Madrid–Inter showdown among the six matches that open the league phase.