Defending champions in focus
UEFA announces innovations in the Champions League
October 13, 2025 – 10:05 p.mReading time: 1 min.
So far, several teams have started the new Champions League season in parallel. The defending champion should open the competition from 2027.
In the Champions League there will be a change on matchday 1. The focus is on the defending champions.
From 2027, the premier class will begin with a special duel. The reigning winner will open the new season in the future – in front of their home crowd. UEFA decided this with its clubs.
The opening game will then be the only game played on Tuesday. All further matches in the first round will only take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Because: The goal of the European association is to “guarantee maximum visibility for all clubs,” as the statement said.
If the format had already been implemented this season, Paris Saint-Germain would have opened the season as title holders in mid-September against Atalanta Bergamo at the Parc des Princes. However, like five other games, the encounter only took place on Wednesday. There were also six games on the program on Tuesday and Thursday.
UEFA has not yet announced whether there will be an opening game for the women’s premier class in the future.