If you’re refreshing your apps looking for champions league games on today, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, you can put the remote down for a second. There aren't any Champions League matches happening tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
I know, it feels weird. Usually, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are reserved for that iconic anthem and high-stakes drama. But because of how the 2025/26 season is structured with the new "League Phase" format, we are currently in a mid-January lull. We’re basically in the eye of the storm before the final two massive matchdays of the opening round.
When does the action actually come back?
The wait isn't forever, though it feels like it when you're used to a weekly fix. The champions league games on today might be non-existent, but the schedule is set to explode in just a few days.
Matchday 7 is slated for January 20 and January 21, 2026.
That is when the 36-team table starts to get really messy. Under this new system, every single goal matters for goal difference because there are no more small groups. It’s one giant, chaotic league. If you're wondering why the gap exists, it’s mostly to allow domestic cups—like the Carabao Cup semi-finals in England—to take center stage without clashing with UEFA's big money-maker.
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For example, while the UCL is dark tonight, Chelsea and Arsenal are currently hacking at each other in a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. It’s a decent consolation prize, but it’s not the Bernabéu or the San Siro, is it?
The current state of play (Who’s actually winning?)
Since we have a breather, it’s a good time to look at the wreckage of the table. As of right now, Arsenal is absolutely flying. They’ve played six matches and won all six. Eighteen points. A goal difference of +16. Mikel Arteta has basically turned the League Phase into a playground.
But behind them, it’s a total dogfight.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are lurking in the top three, but look at the "big" teams struggling. Liverpool is sitting in 9th place. Normally, 9th would be fine, but in this format, only the top eight go straight to the Round of 16. If the season ended today, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Barcelona would all be forced into a two-legged playoff in February just to stay in the competition.
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The Top 8 "Safe Zone" (Current Standings):
- Arsenal (18 pts)
- Bayern Munich (15 pts)
- PSG (13 pts)
- Manchester City (13 pts)
- Atalanta (13 pts)
- Inter Milan (12 pts)
- Real Madrid (12 pts)
- Atletico Madrid (12 pts)
If you’re a fan of Villarreal or Ajax, things are looking grim. They’re stuck at the bottom of the pile with barely any points to their names. They basically have two games left to save their entire European season.
What happens on Matchday 7?
When the champions league games on today finally switch from "none" to "all of them" next Tuesday, we have some ridiculous fixtures.
Real Madrid is heading to Monaco. That’s a huge one because Monaco has been a giant-killer this year, sitting comfortably in the playoff spots. Then you’ve got Inter Milan hosting Arsenal. That match could decide if Arsenal clinches the number one overall seed with a game to spare.
The strategy has shifted. In the old days, a team like Real Madrid would sleepwalk through the final group game if they had already qualified. Now? If they finish 7th instead of 2nd, they might end up facing a much harder path in the bracket. There is no "taking a night off" anymore.
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Why the January schedule is so weird
UEFA changed everything for the 2025/26 season to "increase meaningful matches." Basically, they wanted more big teams playing each other earlier. By stretching the League Phase into late January, they’ve ensured that the winter transfer window actually matters for the European campaign.
Think about it. A team could buy a world-class striker on January 1st and have him lead the charge in Matchdays 7 and 8 to sneak them into the top eight. It adds a layer of desperation to the transfer market that we haven't seen before.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there are no champions league games on today, here is how you should prep for the return of the tournament next week:
- Check the TV Listings: In the UK, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime share the rights, while CBS and Paramount+ handle the US. Matchday 7 starts at 18:45 CET on January 20th.
- Monitor the Injury Lists: Real Madrid is sweating on the fitness of several key players before the Monaco trip. Keep an eye on the training reports coming out of Valdebebas.
- Study the Playoff Bracket: Remember, finishing 9th through 24th isn't the end of the world, but it adds two extra games to an already congested February schedule.
- Set Your Alarms for January 28: That is Matchday 8—the final day of the League Phase—where all 18 matches will kick off at the exact same time. It’s going to be pure, unadulterated sports anarchy.
The road to the final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30, 2026, is getting shorter. Even if the lights are off tonight, the heat is definitely turning up. Use this week to catch up on domestic league drama, because once the Champions League returns next Tuesday, it won't stop until a trophy is lifted in Hungary.