The 2026 UEFA Champions League 1st-leg quarter-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich takes place on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich meet again in one of European football’s biggest modern rivalries, with UEFA calling it their 29th encounter in club competition.
Real hosts the first leg at the Bernabéu, while the tie continues in Munich a week later, so this opening match could shape the whole semifinal race. The tie will be decided over two legs as both giants aim for a spot in the semi-finals:
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
- Match: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
- Tournament: UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Quarter-final First Leg
- Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM local time in Madrid
- Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
- Broadcast: Paramount+, TUDN, DAZN in the United States
Team News and Analysis
Real Madrid
Real Madrid come into this tie with their usual Champions League pedigree and a squad built for knockout football. UEFA’s stats page shows Madrid have scored 29 goals in the competition, while conceding 14, with strong possession numbers and a side that can punish mistakes in transition.
Their likely attack is still loaded with star power, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior expected to lead the line, while Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni provide balance behind them. Real’s biggest strength is simple: they know how to survive difficult moments and still find a way to win ties like this. That is an inference based on UEFA’s team data and projected lineup.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich arrive with very strong numbers too. UEFA’s club stats show Bayern have scored 32 goals and conceded only 10 in the Champions League this season, which points to a team that has been both dangerous and efficient.
Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, and Manuel Neuer give Bayern a serious mix of finishing, creativity, and experience.
On paper, they look well equipped to hurt Madrid if they can control midfield and keep the game open. That is an inference from UEFA’s squad and predicted lineup data.
Head-to-Head Statistics
This rivalry has been one of the Champions League’s most famous. They have met more times in this competition than any other two teams, with a total of 28 official matches played as of April 2026.
UEFA’s head-to-head record shows Real Madrid 13 wins, 4 draws, Bayern Munich 11 wins, with Madrid scoring 45 and Bayern 42 in the overall matchup.
Recent meetings have also been tight, including Madrid’s 2-1 win in the 2023/24 semi-final second leg and the 2-2 draw in the first leg.
| Date | Competition Type | Result |
|---|---|---|
| April 30, 2024 | UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg | Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid |
| May 8, 2024 | UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg | Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich |
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Starting XI
- Real Madrid Possible Starting XI Prediction (4-4-2 / 4-3-1-2):
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Forwards: Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
- Injured: David Alaba (Knee), Eduardo Camavinga (Hamstring)
- Bayern Munich Possible Starting XI Prediction (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (C)
- Defenders: Joshua Kimmich, Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Alphonso Davies
- Midfielders: Aleksandar Pavlović, João Palhinha, Jamal Musiala
- Forwards: Leroy Sané, Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry
- Injured: Hiroki Ito (Foot), Josip Stanišić (Knee)
Key Players to Watch
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger.
- Kylian Mbappé: Has a phenomenal record in the Champions League and remains the primary attacking threat.
- Vinícius Júnior: Known for delivering in high-pressure matches, especially during the knockout stages
- Bayern Munich: Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer.
- Harry Kane: The leading scorer this season and the biggest threat to Madrid’s defensive line.
- Jamal Musiala: His exceptional dribbling and creative vision in midfield can change the game instantly.
Weather Forecast
| Hour | Sky Condition | Temperature | Chance of Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 PM – 3 PM | CloudyCloudy | 18°C – 21°C | 10% |
| 3 PM – 6 PM | Light rainLight Rain | 22°C | 20% |
| 6 PM – 9 PM | Light rainLight Rain | 21°C – 22°C | 25% |
| 9 PM – 12 AM | Light rainLight Rain | 15°C – 17°C | 25% |
Match Prediction
This looks incredibly balanced, but Real Madrid at home in the Champions League is always dangerous. Bayern have the stronger scoring numbers this season, yet Madrid’s knockout experience and Bernabéu edge make this feel like a very small-margin game.
- Prediction:
- Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich or
- Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich
Where to Watch Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
In the United States, UEFA’s official broadcast partner list shows Paramount+, TUDN, and DAZN for Champions League coverage.
| Region | TV Channel | Live Stream |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network | Sony LIV, JioTV |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1 | discovery+, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video |
| United States | CBS, TUDN, Univision | Paramount+, Fubo, ViX |
| Germany | Prime Video, ZDF (Highlights) | DAZN, Prime Video |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
When is Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich?
The first leg taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 7, 2026
What time is kick-off?
9:00 PM local time in Madrid, which is about 3:00 PM ET.
Where is the match being played?
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid.
Where can I watch the match in the U.S.?
Paramount+, TUDN, and DAZN.
Who is the favorite?
Real Madrid have the home advantage, but Bayern’s season-long Champions League scoring record makes this a very close call. That is a reasoned prediction, not a confirmed result.
