Manchester United now know the shape of their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign, with five fixtures set across the opening months of the 2026-27 competition. In a format that features 36 teams, the top eight go straight through, the next 16 move into the knockout play-off route and the bottom 12 are eliminated.
The schedule, part of NBC Sports' coverage of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, gives United supporters a clear run of dates to circle. Stream online coverage is on Paramount+, while select games are also set for CBS Sports Network.
The five Manchester United Champions League fixtures
Manchester United begin with Roma at 3pm ET on Tuesday 3 November 2026. That is followed by an away trip to Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday 25 November 2026, before United return home to face RB Leipzig on Tuesday 8 December 2026.
The league phase then stretches into the new year, with Bayern Munich visiting on Wednesday 20 January 2027. United close their schedule away to Villarreal on Wednesday 27 January 2027.
What the league phase means
The league phase runs from September 8, 2026 to January 27, 2027, and the format leaves little room for slow starts. With 36 teams in the mix, every result matters in the chase for one of the top eight places or at least a spot among the next 16.
For Manchester United, the order of opponents also creates a clear rhythm to the campaign. Roma first, then Sporting Lisbon, RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Villarreal: five games that will quickly show where they stand in the new Champions League structure.
