Arsenal will face a challenging start to their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign, with the first three fixtures including two demanding away matches. The London club, managed by Mikel Arteta, will open their group stage with a trip to Italy to face Napoli on September 9. Following their home match against French side Lille on October 13, Arsenal will travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich on October 21.

This tough opening sequence is part of a group that features several high-profile opponents, including reigning champions Real Madrid, whom Arsenal will host on December 9 in the sixth round of fixtures. That match will also bring a potential reunion with Vinicius Junior, a transfer target Arsenal pursued over the summer but did not secure. The Gunners will round out their group stage campaign with a home game against Azerbaijani club Sabah on January 27, the day when all final group matches will kick off simultaneously.

In total, Arsenal’s group schedule includes trips to Slavia Prague on November 4, Borussia Dortmund on January 20, and a home match against Dortmund on November 24. Aside from Bayern Munich and Napoli, these fixtures present a range of competitive challenges as Arsenal aim to improve upon last season’s run, where they finished as runners-up.

Notably, Arsenal and Manchester City are the only Premier League clubs to avoid early kickoff times during the Champions League group stage, a scheduling detail likely to benefit the teams’ domestic preparations.

Arsenal’s full group stage fixture list is as follows: September 9 at Napoli; October 13 versus Lille; October 21 at Bayern Munich; November 4 at Slavia Prague; November 24 versus Borussia Dortmund; December 9 versus Real Madrid; January 20 at Real Betis; and January 27 versus Sabah. The group poses a significant test as Arsenal seek to progress deeper into Europe’s premier club competition.