The lights of the Santiago Bernabéu will shine bright on Tuesday, September 16, as Real Madrid kicks off their 2025–26 UEFA Champions League journey against French side Olympique Marseille. For Madrid, this is more than just a group stage opener—it’s the start of another quest for European glory, with manager Xabi Alonso eyeing the club’s record-extending 16th Champions League crown after last year’s quarterfinal heartbreak.
There’s plenty of excitement around Madrid’s lineup. Midfield stars Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga have finally shaken off long injury spells and are back in the squad. While only one of them is expected to feature, their return adds serious depth. Young defender Dean Huijsen, fresh from a La Liga suspension, is still eligible in Europe and could see minutes here.
Fans will also be eager to see Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and teenage talent Franco Mastantuono spearheading the attack, with Arda Güler pulling strings in midfield. The predicted XI for Real Madrid looks like this: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Güler; Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior.
Marseille, of course, won’t make life easy. The French side is expected to start with Rulli; Murillo, Pavard, Balerdi, Emerson; Gomes, Kondogbia; Greenwood, Nadir, Weah; Aubameyang. With pace on the wings and the ever-dangerous Aubameyang up top, Marseille will test Madrid’s back line.
Key Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Time: 9:00 pm CET / 3:00 pm ET (USA) / 12:30 am IST (India, Sept 17)
- Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid
Where to Watch
- UK: TNT Sports (8:00 pm BST)
- USA: Paramount+ and TUDN (3:00 pm ET)
- Canada: DAZN (3:00 pm EST)
- India: Sony Sports Network & SonyLiv (12:30 am IST, Sept 17)
- Mexico: Max (1:00 pm CDMX)
- Indonesia: beIN Sports (2:00 am, Sept 17)
- Australia: Stan Sport (6:00 am AEST, Sept 17)
- Brazil: TNT Sports (4:00 pm)
- Saudi Arabia: beIN Sports (10:00 pm KSA)
- UAE: beIN Sports (11:00 pm UAE)
With the Bernabéu crowd behind them, Madrid will look to start their campaign with authority. But Marseille’s hunger to upset one of Europe’s giants could make this opener a nail-biting watch. Football fans around the world won’t want to miss it.