UEFA Champions League 2025–26 Schedule India & Stream

The Champions League is back, and so are the late nights for Indian fans. The UEFA Champions League schedule has been announced, stretching across autumn and into late May.

For supporters, it means alarms set at odd hours, streaming links saved, and tired mornings at work. In India, the question repeats itself every season: what are the match dates, and where to watch them live?

UEFA Champions League 2025–26 Schedule Overview

The season starts with the league phase on September 16, 2025. It will run until January 28, 2026. That’s months of football, week after week, across the biggest stadiums in Europe. No group stage this time, but a single long table of 36 clubs.

After the league phase, the competition moves to knockout rounds. Playoff ties come first on February 17–18 and 24–25. The round of 16 will be played in March, followed by quarterfinals in April. Semifinals are planned for late April and May. The final takes place on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. For every detail, UEFA’s official fixtures page remains the most reliable reference.

How the New Format Works?

Fans who watched previous seasons will notice the change. Instead of traditional groups, there is one league phase. Each team plays eight matches — four at home, four away. It means more variety, more high-profile clashes, and fewer predictable pairings. For Indian fans, it’s a plus. More reasons to stay awake at 12:30 AM IST.

The league table decides the next steps. The top eight sides go straight into the round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to twenty-fourth enter a playoff to secure their spot. Everyone else is out. It’s simple, maybe brutal, but it adds importance to every match. There’s no room to switch off, even on matchday one.

Where to Watch: Global Viewing Options?

Schedules are one side of the story. Finding where to watch is the other. Official rights are split regionally. UEFA posts highlights and draws free on its site, but live matches require the broadcasters. For fans around the world, the choices look like this:

UEFA.com / UEFA.tv – Free highlights, full draws, classic replays.
Paramount+ – Coverage for the United States.
Discovery+ / TNT Sports – UK and much of Europe.
ESPN – Match listings, broadcast guides for North America.

Region-Specific Viewing Highlights

In India, Sony has the rights again. They show every game, either on television or through digital platforms. Kick-off times hover around 12:30 AM IST. Tough on the body, but routine by now for fans used to midweek football nights.

Sony Sports Ten 2 and Ten 3 – Matches broadcast live on television.
SonyLIV app – Full digital streaming on phones, tablets, and smart TVs.
JioTV – Sony’s coverage is also available for Jio subscribers.

Across the US, Paramount+ streams every game, while CBS airs selected fixtures, including the final. In the UK, TNT Sports and Discovery+ cover the tournament. Europe follows similar patterns with regional networks, though Discovery dominates. For highlights or free access, fans can always return to UEFA.tv.

Where to Watch the Draw?

The season doesn’t just begin with the first whistle. It begins with the draw. The league phase draw took place on August 28, 2025, in Monaco. Names were picked, cameras zoomed in on coaches, and fans immediately began calling some pairings the “group of death” even though groups no longer exist.

UEFA streamed the event for free on UEFA.com and UEFA.tv. In India, Sony Sports also aired the draw live, while fans caught it online via SonyLIV. These ceremonies matter because they set the tone. Supporters watch nervously, knowing one draw can make or break their team’s season.

UEFA Champions League Final 2026 for Indian Fans

The grand final will be played on May 30, 2026, in Budapest. For viewers in India, that means tuning in at 12:30 AM IST on May 31. Sony Sports Ten will broadcast it, with SonyLIV offering live streaming. Over the years, the final has turned into a ritual night for many. Families and friends gather, snacks piled up, lights dimmed, the anthem echoing past midnight. The timing may not be kind, but the spectacle makes up for it.

Champions League Schedule and Live Streaming in India

The UEFA Champions League 2025–26 schedule runs from September to May, with matches almost every fortnight. The new format ensures fresh clashes and constant stakes. Playoffs in February and knockouts in March guarantee sleepless nights filled with drama.

For fans in India, Sony Sports and SonyLIV remain the official broadcasters. JioTV offers another path for subscribers. Highlights, draws, and replays are free on UEFA.tv. With dates fixed and broadcast details clear, the only thing left is to prepare for long nights, strong coffee, and unforgettable football.