Champions League Kicks Off with High-stakes Clashes: juventus vs. Dortmund, Real Madrid Faces Marseille
September 16, 2025, 3:18 PM – The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season began today with a slate of compelling matchups across Europe, marking the second season under the competition’s new format. Matchday 1 featured key contests including Juventus hosting Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid welcoming Marseille to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Europe’s most prestigious club competition returns with heightened anticipation as teams vie for continental glory. This season’s group stage will determine which clubs advance to the knockout rounds, ultimately culminating in the final and crowning a champion. ESPN’s Alex Kirkland is providing live updates from Madrid, while fans across the globe are tuning in to witness the drama unfold.
Among the day’s most anticipated fixtures, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund battled for early group stage positioning. Concurrently, Real Madrid aimed to start their campaign with a victory against Marseille. Tottenham Hotspur also played host to Villarreal in another key contest.
Fans can follow all the action with live play-by-play updates embedded below:
