The Champions League is set to return in this month as Manchester City will look to successfully retain their title.

Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Serie A side Inter Milan 1-0 in the final back in June – with midfielder Rodri scoring the only goal of the game.

The 2023-24 campaign will feature Union Berlin, who will be competing in the competition for the first time in their history. Newcastle United booked their place in the group stage for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Dutch side Feyenoord will also be competing after they won the Eredivisie last season, finishing seven points ahead of PSV.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the Champions League group stage. 

Manchester City will look to retain their Champions League title following their win in June

Europe’s biggest club competition is scheduled to return later this month 

When are the Champions League group matches?

The first matchday of the 2023-24 Champions League group stage will take place on the 19/20 of September.

Newcastle will begin their Champions League group stage with a trip to Serie A giants AC Milan.

Reigning champions Manchester City begin with a home game against Red Star Belgrade, while Erik ten Hag’s United face a tough trip to Bayern Munich in their opening game.

On their return to the competition, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal face PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates. 

This season’s group stage will draw to a close on December 13.

The dates for this season’s Champions League group stage is as follows

• Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023
• Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023
• Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023
• Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023
• Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023
• Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023

The draw for the group stage was completed back in August, with the first group stage game set to take place on Tuesday, September 19

What are the groups?

Newcastle have been handed the ‘group of death’ upon their return to the competition.

The Magpies have been drawn in the same group as Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.  

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Pep Guardiola’s City will face Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys. United will come up against Harry Kane as they have been drawn against Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Arsenal have been handed a favourable draw. Arteta’s side will face Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 side Lens.

The full Champions League groups is as follows:

• Group A: Bayern Munich, Man United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray
• Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens 
• Group C: Napoli , Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
• Group D: Benfica, Inter, Salzburg, Real Sociedad
• Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
• Group F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
• Group G: Man City, Leipzig, Crvena zvezda, Young Boys
• Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Antwerp

Newcastle United have been handed a tough draw on their return to the competition 

Arsenal are set to play in the same group as Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 side Lens

When are the knockout stages? 

After the final group stage game on December 13, football fans will have to wait two months before the knockout stage.

The round of 16 will take place over February and conclude on March 13.

This season’s quarter final will be held in April, while the semi-finals will be played on 30 April/1 May and 7/8 May 2024.

The key dates for the Champions League knockout stage is as follows:

• Round of 16: 13/14/20/21 February and 5/6/12/13 March 2024
• Quarter-finals: 9/10 and 16/17 April 2024
• Semi-finals: 30 April/1 May and 7/8 May 2024

When is the final?

The 2024 Champions League final is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 1.

It will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.

The last time Wembley hosted the Champions League final was back in 2013 – when Bayern Munich defeated rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1.

The Champions League final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 1, 2024