The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final are set, featuring a perfect balance of Europe’s powerhouses. With one representative each from England, Germany, Spain, and France, the stage is prepared for some of the most anticipated fixtures in recent history.
The 2025‑26 UEFA Champions League has reached the final four, featuring two blockbuster semi‑finals that have been completed and second-leg matches beginning 5 May 2026: Bayern Munich taking on Paris Saint‑Germain, and Arsenal facing Atlético Madrid.
The three semi-finalists are all currently at the top of their respective league tables. Atlético Madrid is the only team among the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists not leading their domestic league. They currently sit in 4th place in La Liga.
With heavyweight teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona have exited the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid was eliminated from this season’s Champions League after a 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the second leg. Atletico Madrid Reach Champions League Semifinals After Eliminating Barcelona.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down the full 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final fixtures, provide tactical insights into the teams, and analyse the path to the grand finale.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final schedule & format
UEFA has fixed dates for all remaining rounds:
- First legs
- PSG vs Bayern Munich – Tuesday 28 April 2026
- Final Score: PSG 5–4 Bayern Munich
- Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal – Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Final Score: Atlético Madrid 1–1 Arsenal
- PSG vs Bayern Munich – Tuesday 28 April 2026
- Second legs
- Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid – Tuesday 5 May 2026
- Bayern Munich vs PSG – Wednesday 6 May 2026
All ties are two‑legged, home and away. If the aggregate score is level after 180 minutes, extra time and, if needed, penalties decide the winner – there is no away‑goals rule in the new‑format Champions League.
The two winners will meet in the final on 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest.
How did teams qualify for the semi-finals of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League?
The semi-finalists for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League are Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal. These teams qualified through two-legged quarter-final ties concluded on April 15, 2026.
Semi-Final Leg 1 of 2 (7 and 8 April)
| Matchup | Date | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSG vs Bayern Munich | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 5–4 | Parc des Princes |
| Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal | Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 1–1 | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
Semi-Final Leg 2 of 2 (5 and 6 May)
| Matchup | Date | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid | Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 21:00 CEST / 20:00 (CEST) | Emirates Stadium |
| Bayern Munich vs PSG | Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 21:00 CEST / 21:00 (CEST) | Allianz Arena |
Key quarter‑final storylines that shape this last four:
- PSG 4–0 Liverpool (agg): The holders crushed Liverpool over two legs, underlining their status as the team to beat.
- Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid: Bayern knocked out 15‑time European champions Real Madrid to book their place, reinforcing their reputation as the competition’s most consistent giant.
- Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona: Atlético eliminated domestic rivals Barça, winning 2–0 in the first leg and seeing out the tie to reach another semi‑final under Diego Simeone.
- Arsenal vs Sporting CP: Arsenal edged past Sporting in a tight quarter‑final that sets them up for a fascinating clash of styles against Atlético.
Semi‑final 1: PSG vs Bayern Munich
- Final Score: PSG 5–4 Bayern Munich
- Key Fact: This was the first time in European semi-final history that both teams scored four or more goals.
- Bayern Goalscorers: Harry Kane (17′ pen), Michael Olise (41′), Dayot Upamecano (65′), Luis Díaz (68′).
- PSG Goalscorers: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24′, 56′), João Neves (33′), Ousmane Dembélé (45′ pen, 58′).
This is a repeat of several high‑stakes encounters over the past decade and feels like a de facto final on one side of the bracket. PSG are the reigning Champions League holders and are “on course for a second straight title” after they demolish Liverpool.
Bayern, meanwhile, are six‑time European champions who just knocked out Real Madrid, the most successful club in the tournament’s history.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) holds a narrow 5–4 aggregate lead over Bayern Munich after winning the highest-scoring semi-final first leg in UEFA Champions League history on 28 April 2026.
Why PSG can reach Budapest
- Momentum and confidence: A 4–0 aggregate victory over Liverpool suggests PSG are peaking at the right time, particularly in knockout football, where they’ve historically stumbled.
- Champions’ mentality: Coming in as defending champions, they have recent experience of navigating exactly this stage and managing two‑legged pressure ties.
- First‑leg advantage: PSG host the opening leg in Paris (28 April), giving them a chance to build a lead before travelling to Munich.
Tactically, expect PSG to lean on fast transitions and aggressive pressing from the front, trying to exploit any high defensive line from Bayern. Their ability to punish mistakes in transition was a major factor against Liverpool and will again be central here.
Why Bayern can turn it their way
- Knockout pedigree: Bayern have shown repeatedly that they can go to hostile away grounds and control long spells of big European games, something they’ll need at the Parc des Princes.
- Second‑leg in Munich: Hosting the decisive game at the Allianz Arena (6 May) is a major advantage; Bayern have traditionally been very strong at home in latter‑stage Champions League ties.
- Stopping PSG’s transitions: Bayern’s chances hinge on tightening up in midfield and defensive rest‑defence. If they can control PSG’s counter‑attacks and dictate tempo, their experience over two legs gives them a real shot.
Key questions
- Can PSG protect a lead away from home? Winning the first leg convincingly is only half the job; Bayern’s firepower and the atmosphere in Munich can flip a tie quickly.
- Will Bayern’s back line cope with pace? Their high line has been exposed in previous European campaigns. PSG will test it relentlessly.
- Set‑pieces & small margins: With so much attacking quality, semi‑finals often come down to details – defending corners, avoiding cheap penalties, and game management in the final 20 minutes of each leg.
Semi‑final 2: Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal
- Final Score: Atlético Madrid 1–1 Arsenal
- Viktor Gyökeres put Arsenal ahead with a clinical penalty in the 44th minute after he was brought down in the box.
- Julián Alvarez equalised for Atlético from the penalty spot in the 56th minute.
- Controversy: Arsenal were denied a potential late winner when a second penalty, awarded for a challenge on Eberechi Eze, was controversially overturned by VAR.
On the other side of the bracket, Atlético vs Arsenal pits one of Europe’s most stubborn defensive machines against an Arsenal side built on structured possession and positional play. Atlético reached the last four by knocking out Barcelona, while Arsenal overcame Sporting CP in a more tactical, low‑scoring tie.
The UEFA Champions League semi-final between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal is finely balanced at 1–1 following a VAR-dominated first leg on 30 April 2026.
Why Atlético can reach another final
- Big‑game experience: Under Diego Simeone, Atlético have become semi‑final regulars, with several recent deep runs in Europe built on organisation, discipline and mentality.
- Home first leg: Playing first in front of their own fans gives Atleti the chance to set the tone physically, disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm, and potentially carry a narrow lead to London.
- Transition threat: Atleti are outstanding when they can absorb pressure and hit quickly through wide players and late runs from midfield – exactly the kind of attacks that have troubled possession‑dominating sides like Arsenal in the past.
Expect Atlético to keep the game compact, concede territory at times, and target moments when Arsenal over‑commit. Controlling the tie’s emotional tempo will be key.
Why Arsenal can finally break through
- Second‑leg at home: Having the return match at the Emirates is a significant edge. If Arsenal can escape Madrid with a draw or narrow defeat, they become favourites to overturn it in London.
- More complete squad: Arsenal’s recent European campaigns suggest a more balanced team – capable of controlling games without losing defensive solidity, which is crucial against counter‑punching Atleti.
- Set‑piece strength: Arsenal have improved markedly on dead balls; against a side that defends so well in open play, corners and free‑kicks could be decisive.
Key questions
- Can Arsenal handle Atleti’s physical and psychological pressure in Madrid? A poor 20‑minute spell in the first leg can make the second leg almost unmanageable.
- Will Atlético create enough chances? Against a disciplined Arsenal block, they may find it harder to generate clear shots unless they can force turnovers high up the pitch.
- Who dictates tempo in London? If Arsenal can turn the second leg into a controlled possession game, their chances increase; if it becomes chaotic, Atleti’s experience favours them.
2025–26 UEFA Champions League Semi-Finalists performane in domestic league
| Team | Domestic League | Current Position | League Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | Premier League (England) | 1st | Leading with 70 points. |
| Bayern Munich | Bundesliga (Germany) | 1st | Leading with 76 points. |
| PSG | Ligue 1 (France) | 1st | Defending champions and current leaders. |
| Atlético Madrid | La Liga (Spain) | 4th | Trailing leaders Barcelona by 22 points. |
Overall picture: who looks closer to the final?
On paper, PSG vs Bayern feels like the “harder” semi‑final, with two genuine title favourites colliding. The winner of that tie will probably enter Budapest as slight favourites, especially if they arrive relatively fresh and injury‑free.
On the other side, Atlético vs Arsenal looks more evenly matched but stylistically contrasted:
- Atlético: compact 4‑4‑2/5‑3‑2, lethal on the break.
- Arsenal: structured 4‑3‑3 or 4‑2‑3‑1, high pressing, patient possession.
Whichever side can impose its preferred game state over two legs will likely edge it.
Key dates at a glance
- Semi‑final first legs:
- 28 April – PSG vs Bayern Munich
- 29 April – Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal
- Semi‑final second legs:
- 5 May – Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid
- 6 May – Bayern Munich vs PSG
- Final:
- 30 May 2026 – Puskás Aréna, Budapest
Broadcast Information: How to Watch the 2026 UCL Semifinal
Catch every moment of the action. Here is the official broadcast list for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League semi-final:
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Paramount+ / CBS Sports
- India: Sony Sports Network / SonyLIV
- Spain: Movistar+
- Official: UEFA
