Potential rivals of BVB in the Champions League 2025/2026 season
Borussia Dortmund Excels, Secures Champions League Berth
In the highly anticipated 2025/26 Champions League, the contestants will battle for the crown of Europe's top football team for the 71st time. The first title recipient in 1992/93 was Olympique Marseille, with Rudi Völler, while FC Barcelona last won as champions in the old European Cup of Champions Clubs.
The fate of the defending champion will be decided on May 31, as Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain face off at the Munich Allianz Arena. Real Madrid boasts the most trophies, with 15 victories.
Four German teams have made it into the Champions League 2025/26: Bayern Munich, who earned the title, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Dortmund. The league system, featuring 36 teams, remains unchanged compared to the first season, 2024/25.
Borussia Dortmund's relief was palpable following their 3-0 victory over Holstein Kiel. Disappointment in previous seasons led to them only qualifying for the Champions League through an additional, UEFA coefficient-based place. However, this season, they managed to secure fourth place with a remarkable final sprint of 22 points in the last eight games.
With the Champions League qualification secured, Borussia Dortmund will take the field in Europe once more. Potential opponents for Kovac's team are already becoming clear.
Reacting to the news, Dortmund CEO Lars Ricken praised coach Niko Kovac's performance, stating it as one of the greatest coaching feats in the BVB's history. Kovac, however, had a more reserved outlook, commenting that there was nothing to celebrate – fourth place and Champions League qualification were merely minimum goals for the club at the beginning of the season.
The specifics of the upcoming Champions League season are well-known, including the match dates, probable opponents, and qualification requirements.
Champions League 2025/26: Key Details
Qualification Criteria
Various routes lead to the Champions League. 29 teams qualify directly through their national leagues or from winning the Champions League or Europa League. The remaining seven participants are determined through qualifying rounds and playoffs. A total of 54 teams will participate in these rounds.
The German Bundesliga has four guaranteed entries: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Dortmund. Additional starting spots in some countries mean up to six opponents from the English Premier League could challenge the German representatives.
Format
In the 2025/26 season, the 36 teams will form one league, playing eight matchdays with four home and four away games. The draw divides these teams into four pots based on their UEFA coefficient ranking, and opponents are allocated accordingly.
Draw Dates
The dates for the individual draw rounds are as follows: first qualifying round on 17 June, second qualifying round on 18 June, third qualifying round on 21 July, play-offs on 4 August, group stage on 28 August, and play-offs for the knockout phase on 30 January. The rounds of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will take place on 27 February, while the final is set for Budapest on May 30.
Possible Opponents for Dortmund and Other German Teams
England
- FC Liverpool
- FC Arsenal
- Manchester City
- Chelsea
- Newcastle United
- Europa League winner: Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
- SSC Napoli
- Inter Milan
- Atalanta Bergamo
- Juventus Turin
Spain
- FC Barcelona
- Real Madrid
- Atlético Madrid
- Athletic Bilbao
- FC Villarreal
Germany
- Bayern Munich
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Borussia Dortmund
France
- Paris Saint-Germain (already qualified through national league)
- Olympique Marseille
- AS Monaco
- OGC Nice
Netherlands
- PSV Eindhoven
- Ajax Amsterdam
The Champions League 2025/26 is poised to be another thrilling competition, with 36 teams set to battle for the illustrious trophy. Multiple potential opponents await Borussia Dortmund and the other German participants, ensuring an exhilarating journey in Europe's premier football tournament.
Borussia Dortmund's journey in the Champions League 2025/26 will pit them against some stiff competition, including football powerhouses from various European leagues. Given the potential opponents already known, Dortmund might face off against teams such as Paris Saint-Germain from France, FC Barcelona from Spain, and SSC Napoli from Italy. It's poised to be an exciting season for Dortmund, starting their European campaign once more in the Champions League.
