Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League will feature a mix of glamour fixtures and stern tests after Thursday’s draw in Nyon.
Eddie Howe’s side were placed in the near-new league-phase format against eight opponents, including European heavyweights Barcelona and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona will visit St James’ Park in what will be a repeat of the Magpies’ famous 1997 victory, while Newcastle will also travel to the Parc des Princes to face PSG after beating them 3-1
at SJP in the 2023 edition of the tournament.
The Magpies were also drawn to host Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, and Athletic Club Bilbao, with away trips to Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille, and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium.
All things considered, the Magpies and their Geordie fans can’t complain that much, let alone under the new qualification system, which gives them ample room to make it to the knockout stage.
NUFC’s 2025-26 UCL Draw
- FC Barcelona (H)
- Paris Saint-Germain (A)
- Bayer Leverkusen (A)
- Benfica (H)
- Marseille (A)
- PSV Eindhoven (H)
- Athletic Club (H)
- Union Saint-Gilloise (A)
This will be Newcastle’s second appearance in the Champions League under Eddie Howe. Two years ago, their return to the competition came via the so-called “Group of Death” alongside PSG, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
A switch to UEFA’s new, cash-grab format offers eight different opponents instead of traditional groups of four, with 24 of all 36 teams involved in the UCL proper advancing to the bracket.
The top eight finishers in the 36-team league phase will progress directly to the round of 16, while teams placed between ninth and 24th will contest a two-legged playoff for the remaining knockout places.
The competition begins after the international break with the first games scheduled for Sept. 16.
