UEFA Champions League Third Round Matches Set for October 21-22, 2025

MONACO, Monaco — The third round matches of the UEFA Champions League will take place on October 21 and 22, 2025. This round highlights the tournament’s revised format, where 36 teams compete in a shared slate of matches instead of traditional groups.

This season marks the second under this setup. Each of the clubs will play eight matches — four at home and four away — against different opponents. The 24 best teams, based on points, will advance to the playoff stage.

The focus remains on securing a top-24 finish for a chance at the playoffs, where victories are essential for advancing to the knockout rounds. Notably, Dynamo Kyiv has failed to qualify for the main round of the Champions League and will instead compete in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Current standings show strong performances from clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, both with two wins and maximum points. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain, despite being previous champions, is currently 15th and secured its playoff status late in the competition last season.

The unique format continues to create excitement and unpredictability, evident in the previous year’s playoffs where underdog teams made surprising runs. As clubs prepare for the matches, fans eagerly await which teams will secure their spots in the knockout phase.