UEFA Champions League 2026-27: Schedules and Previews

The UEFA Champions League 2026-27 season started with plenty of excitement for European football fans. Last week, the first-round qualifying clashes of the UEFA Champions League concluded. Meanwhile, clubs from domestic leagues settled for draws in the UEFA Champions League. Lincoln Red Imps defeated Inter d’Escaldes 3-1 in the first leg of the first qualifying round.

Additionally, Kauno Žalgiris drew with Drita, while Tre Fiori lost to Larne in the first leg of the first qualifying round. Víkingur Reykjavík defeated ETO Győr 1-0 in the qualifying-round clash. Furthermore, Kairat defeated Sutjeska 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. Craiova defeated Maxline 4-1 in the latest outing.

Games Schedule: Venues and Timings

KuPS vs FK Vardar

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 11:00 a.m. ET | 08:00 a.m. PT | 08:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Kuopio Football Stadium, Kuopio.

Inter d’Escaldes vs. Lincoln Red Imps

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella.

Saburtalo vs Tallinna FC Flora

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi.

Riga vs. Ararat-Armenia

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:00 p.m. ET | 10:00 a.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Skonto Stadium, Riga.

ETO Győr vs Víkingur Reykjavík

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:00 p.m. ET | 10:00 a.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Stadion ETO, Győr.

TNSFC vs Sabah

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST

Venue: Park Hall, Shropshire.

Levski Sofia vs Borac

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST

Venue: Georgi Asparuhov, Sofia.

Drita vs. Kauno Žalgiris

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Pristina City Stadium, Pristina.

Shamrock Rovers vs Floriana

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 03:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. PT | 12:30 a.m. IST (Next day)

Venue: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin.

Larne vs Tre Fiori

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 03:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. PT | 12:30 a.m. IST (Next day)

Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast.

Craiova vs Maxline

Date: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 01:30 p.m. ET | 10:30 a.m. PT | 11:00 p.m. IST

Venue: Ion Oblemenco Stadium, Craiova.

Atert Bissen vs. KÍ

Date: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 02:15 p.m. ET | 11:15 a.m. PT | 11:45 p.m. IST

Venue: Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg.

Egnatia vs. Petrocub

Date: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 03:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. PT | 12:30 a.m. IST (Next day)

Venue: Stadiumi “Arena Egnatia,” Rrogozhinë.

Sutjeska vs Kairat

Date: July 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 03:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. PT | 12:30 a.m. IST (Next day)

Venue: Gradski Stadion Niksic, Niksic.

Pivotal Matches Previews

KuPS vs FK Vardar

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 11:00 a.m. ET | 08:00 a.m. PT | 08:30 p.m. IST.

Venue: Kuopio Football Stadium, Kuopio.

Predicted Lineups for KuPS

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Johannes Kreidl, Hemmo Riihimäki, and Kasperi Silen
Defenders	Karl Ward, Kasim Nuhu, Arttu Lötjönen, Bob Nii Armah, Clinton Antwi, Brahima Magassa, Rasmus Tikkanen, and Taneli Hämäläinen
Midfielders	Saku Heiskanen, Petteri Pennanen, Valentin Gasc, Niilo Kujasalo, Tommi Jyry, Calvin Kabuye, Aaro Toivonen, Akseli Puukko, Joni Kivijärvi, and Veikko Lahtela
Forwards	Saku Savolainen, Gustav Engvall, Jaime Moreno, Arttu Heinonen, Piotr Parzyszek, Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba, and Saikou Touray

Predicted Lineups for FK Vardar

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Daniel Dikovski and Davor Taleski
Defenders	Hristijan Jeftovski, Mihail Manevski, Mislav Matić, Filip Najdovski, Darko Velkovski, Nenad Miskovski, Georgije Jankulov, and Filip Cvetkovski
Midfielders	David Babunski, Boban Nikolov, Goran Zakarić, Dimitar Todorovski, Filip Duranski, Miguel Pires, and Bljeron Bajrami
Forwards	Gerson Rodrigues, Azer Omeragikj, Ediz Spahiu, Ilija Mitanoski, Ivo Markovski, Diego Castaneda, Ian Puleio, Dimitar Danev, and Joaquin Torres

Previous Games

KuPS faced FK Vardar in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first-round qualifying. KuPS dominated the match and took the lead through goals from Brahima Magassa and Bob Nii Armah. After half-time, Nemanja Bosančić was shown a red card for FK Vardar. Ultimately, KuPS defeated FK Vardar to take an early advantage in the tie.

By contrast, FK Vardar failed to capitalize on their chances in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League’s first-round qualifying. Furthermore, they will look to improve both their defensive and attacking play in the second leg. FK Vardar will now prepare to face KuPS in the second leg of the first qualifying round.  

The Pick: KuPS

Inter d’Escaldes vs Lincoln Red Imps

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 12:00 p.m. ET | 09:00 a.m. PT | 09:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella, Andorra la Vella.

Predicted Lineups for Inter d’Escaldes

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Juanda Terrádez, Javi Díaz, and Rodrigo Rosaria Fernandes
Defenders	Anwar Hernández, Jilmar Torres, Alex Sanchez, Jaouad Erraji Berroug, Adrian Da Cunha, Marc Rodriguez, Maurizio Pochettino, and Pol Cabanes
Midfielders	Víctor Alonso, Juan Cámara, David López, Antonio Otegui, Pablo Molina, and Lamine Diaby
Forwards	Faysal Chouaib, Domi Berlanga, Toni Paredes, Alex Prelado, and Borja Arellano

Predicted Lineups for Lincoln Red Imps

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Nauzet Santana, Jaylan Hankins, and Mark Hamm
Defenders	Ethan Jolley, Christian Rutjens, Gabri Cardozo, Bernardo Lopes, Ethan Britto, and Julliani Eersteling
Midfielders	Nicolas Clara Pinto, Mandi, Toni, Graeme Torrilla, and Joe
Forwards	Lee Casciaro, Kike Gómez, Álex Mula, Yussef Flalhi Idrissi, Nano, Facundo Alvarez, Manu Toledano and Ruben Garcia

Previous Games

Inter d’Escaldes is one of the strong contenders in the domestic league competition. In the previous season, after 24 matches, they recorded 17 wins, three draws, and four losses. In their last five fixtures, Inter d’Escaldes recorded three consecutive wins, one draw, and one loss. Nevertheless, they lost to Lincoln Red Imps in the first leg of the first qualifying round. Inter d’Escaldes will look to bounce back in the return leg.

Like Lincoln Red Imps, they needed a victory in the first leg. They are one of the leading clubs in their domestic league and have also improved on the international stage. However, they will provide a tough challenge for Inter d’Escaldes in the upcoming clash.

The Pick: Inter d’Escaldes

Riga vs. Ararat-Armenia

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 01:00 p.m. ET | 10:00 a.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Skonto Stadium, Riga.

Predicted Lineups for Riga

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Frenks Orols
Defenders	Paulo Eduardo, Karl Wassom, Andrés Salazar, and Baba Musah
Midfielders	Raivis Jurkovskis, Ahmed Ankrah, and Orlando Galo
Forwards	Salah-Eddine Oulad, Raki Aouani, and Muhammed Badamosi

Predicted Lineups for Ararat-Armenia

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	João Bravim
Defenders	Edgar Grigoryan, Alexandros Malis, Junior Julio, and Kamo Hovhannisyan
Midfielders	Karen Muradyan, Alwyn Tera, and Hugo Oliveira
Forwards	Zhirayr Shaghoyan, Sandro Lima, and Artur Serobyan

Previous Games

Riga took on Ararat-Armenia in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first-round qualifying. Both teams failed to score before halftime. Furthermore, Ararat-Armenia scored twice in the second half to take control of the match. On the other hand, Riga’s hopes suffered a setback after one of their players received a red card. In the end, Riga suffered defeat to Ararat-Armenia in the first leg.

Conversely, Ararat-Armenia claimed an important first-leg win. They also had a hard time putting together a clear attacking performance during the entire match. Ararat-Armenia will improve its attacking play in the return fixture. Riga will have a home-turf advantage in the upcoming match.

The Pick: Riga

Drita vs. Kauno Žalgiris

Date: July 14, 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 02:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT | 11:30 p.m. IST

Venue: Pristina City Stadium, Pristina.

Predicted Lineups for Drita

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Faton Maloku, Laurit Behluli, and Eron Isufi
Defenders	Besnik Krasniqi, Blerton Sheji, Altin Bytyqi, Raddy Ovouka, Agan Mjaki, Jorgo Pellumbi, and Hajdin Salihu
Midfielders	Rron Broja, Igball Jashari, Vesel Limaj, Liridon Balaj, Albert Dabiqaj, and Wiliam Baeten
Forwards	Arb Manaj, Oniks Grezda, Blerim Krasniqi, Kristal Abazaj, Kemehlo Nguena, and Mike Arthur

Predicted Lineups for Kauno Žalgiris

Position	Players
Goalkeepers	Joris Aliukonis, Deividas Mikelionis, and Tomas Švedkauskas
Defenders	Anton Tolordava, Luka Racic, Aldayr Hernandez, Marko Konatar, Nosa Edokpolor, Joris Moutachy, and Rokas Lekiatas
Midfielders	Damjan Pavlovic, Amine Benchaib, Yukiyoshi Karashima, Gratas Sirgėdas, Fedor Černych, Vykintas Slivka, Léo Ribeiro, Franco Baldassarra, and Fabien Ourega
Forwards	Renan Oliveira, Motiejus Burba, and Haris Kadrić

Previous Games

Drita has established itself as one of the dominant clubs in the Football Superleague of Kosovo. They recorded 20 wins, six draws, and ten losses in 36 matches last season. In their last five fixtures, Drita recorded two consecutive victories and three losses. In addition, Drita played out a draw performance in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

This season, Kauno Žalgiris sits in first place with 31 points in the A Lyga competition. In their last five matches, Kauno Žalgiris recorded two consecutive wins, one loss, and two draws. Furthermore, they played out a draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round.

The Pick: Drita

Final Thoughts

The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League begins with the first qualifying round, where clubs will battle for a place in the next stage. With key fixtures on the schedule, fans are eager to watch the upcoming matches.  Meanwhile, several players will aim to make their historic success on the international stage this season.