Track Tickets
Arsenal have been handed one of the most glamorous sets of opponents in the entire 2026-2027 Champions League league phase. Real Madrid come to the Emirates Stadium, Borussia Dortmund follow them, and there is a trip to the Allianz Arena to negotiate.
After going all the way to the final last season and losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, Arsenal return to the competition as one of the sides to beat. This draw will test that status immediately.
Arsenal's league phase opponents
| Fixture | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Real Madrid | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Home | Borussia Dortmund | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Home | Lille | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Home | Sabah FK | Emirates Stadium, London |
| Away | Bayern Munich | Allianz Arena, Munich |
| Away | Napoli | Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples |
| Away | Real Betis | Benito Villamarín, Seville |
| Away | Slavia Praha | Fortuna Arena, Prague |
The home draw: two European giants at the Emirates
Real Madrid at the Emirates is the fixture of the league phase, not just for Arsenal but arguably for the whole competition. The record 15-time winners remain the benchmark in this tournament, and a full house in north London for their visit will be one of the nights of the season.
Borussia Dortmund arrive with a similar aura and a very different style. The 2024 finalists build their European campaigns around the Westfalenstadion, but they are also a dangerous, direct side away from home who have caused English opposition plenty of problems in recent years. Getting both of these ties at home is a significant advantage.
Lille are the sort of opponent that gets underestimated. The French side are well organised, comfortable defending deep and capable of hurting anyone on the counter, and they have a habit of collecting results against bigger names in this competition. Sabah FK complete the home set. The Azerbaijani side reached this stage through the qualifying rounds and are the least demanding of the eight, but a first visit to the Emirates will mean everything to their travelling support.
The away draw: Munich first among four tricky trips
Bayern Munich away is the hardest fixture in Arsenal's schedule. Six-time European champions, in front of a full Allianz Arena, and a club that treats this competition as its natural habitat. Arsenal have history in Munich, most of it uncomfortable, and this is the game that will most shape their final position in the table.
Napoli away is the other trip that stands out. The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is one of the most intense atmospheres in European football, and Serie A sides at home in this competition are notoriously difficult to break down. It is worth noting that Napoli also feature in Manchester City's draw, so English supporters will see plenty of them this season.
Real Betis will bring noise of their own at the Benito Villamarín, a big, steep ground with a support that lifts the team on European nights. Slavia Praha are the most winnable of the four away days, but the Fortuna Arena is a hostile place to visit and the Czech champions have taken points off far bigger clubs at home before.
The verdict on Arsenal's draw
On star quality this is the heaviest draw any English club has received. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in one set of eight is about as demanding as the seeding pots allow. What softens it is the balance: the two ties Arsenal would least want, Real Madrid and Dortmund, both fall at the Emirates, and the away schedule after Munich is manageable.
The top eight in the single league table qualify directly for the round of 16, while ninth to 24th go into a two-legged play-off. Arsenal have the squad to target that top eight, but they will need to take something from Munich or Naples to get there without a nervous final matchday. For supporters, the compensation is obvious: Real Madrid and Dortmund at home in the same campaign is as good as a league phase draw gets.
Arsenal Champions League tickets
Arsenal tickets for European nights are among the most sought-after in the competition, and a home draw featuring Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will sell quickly. Browse the available fixtures, pick your section of the ground and book your seat at the Emirates. The season ends with the Champions League final at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
Frequently asked questions
Who do Arsenal play in the Champions League league phase?
Arsenal host Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Sabah FK at the Emirates Stadium, and travel to Bayern Munich, Napoli, Real Betis and Slavia Praha.
How many Champions League matches do Arsenal play?
Eight in the league phase, four at home and four away, against eight different opponents. The top eight in the single league table go straight through to the round of 16.
Which is Arsenal's biggest home fixture?
Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The Spanish side are the most successful club in the history of the competition with 15 titles.
