Dnipro-based Shakhtar has officially published the full schedule of all eight matches in the main (league) phase of the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/2027 season. As reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the club's official website, the "miners" will open the tournament with an away match in the Netherlands and close the cycle with a game against Real Madrid. Thus, Arda Turan's team has drawn one of the most demanding and competitive calendars in the tournament's league phase.
Opener in Eindhoven: September 10
The Dnipro side's first match of the new season in Europe's premier club competition will be played on September 10 on the road — the opponent will be PSV (Eindhoven) from the Netherlands. The choice of opening opponent and the away format of the first round set the tone for the entire cycle: Shakhtar will have to adapt immediately to playing on foreign ground under the new Champions League format, where every win directly affects the chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
October and November: two "tough" months
In October, Arda Turan's charges will play two matches: in London against AEK (the match will be held at Stamford Bridge) and in Milan against Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. November will also be eventful — the "miners" are set to face Sporting and Fenerbahce. The density of the schedule in the autumn months will be a key factor determining the team's physical readiness and squad depth.
December and January: from Slovan to Real Madrid
In December, Shakhtar will play one match — against Slovakia's Slovan. The league phase will conclude in January with two pivotal encounters: with Germany's RB Leipzig and, as the final note, with Real Madrid. According to the logic of the calendar, it is these matches that could decide the Dnipro side's fate in securing a playoff spot.
Historical context and ambitions
It is worth recalling that Shakhtar's most successful run in the Champions League remains the 2010/2011 season: then Mircea Lucescu's team topped its group with Partizan, Braga and Arsenal, beat Roma in the round of 16, and lost in the quarter-finals to the eventual tournament winner, Barcelona. The Dnipro side last took part in the competition in the 2024/2025 season, collecting 7 points and finishing 27th, which was not enough to advance to the play-in. The new 2026/27 schedule, culminating in a match against Real Madrid, gives the club a chance to return to the top of the standings.
