The UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs take place on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 April 2026, as the last four clubs standing battle for a place in the showpiece final in Budapest. With the quarter-finals featuring Paris Saint-Germain versus Liverpool, Real Madrid versus Bayern Munich, Barcelona versus Atletico Madrid, and Sporting CP versus Arsenal, the semi-final stage promises blockbuster ties between Europe’s elite. These are the matches where decades of history, tactical chess, and raw nerve collide in two-legged encounters that have produced some of football’s most unforgettable nights.
What Are the Champions League Semi-Final First Legs?
The Champions League semi-finals are the penultimate round of UEFA’s premier club competition. Four teams, drawn from a predetermined bracket, face off over two legs to determine who will contest the final. The first legs are hosted by teams designated as the “home” side in the draw, with the return fixtures following a week later.
Under the revamped Champions League format introduced in 2024-25, the semi-final bracket is set from the round of 16 draw onwards. The path to the semis is predetermined: the winner of Paris Saint-Germain/Liverpool versus the winner of Real Madrid/Bayern Munich on one side of the draw, and the winner of Barcelona/Atletico Madrid versus the winner of Sporting CP/Arsenal on the other. The away goals rule was abolished by UEFA in 2021-22, meaning that if the aggregate score is level after two legs, extra time and penalties decide the tie.
When Are the Champions League Semi-Final First Legs?
The first legs are scheduled for Tuesday 28 April and Wednesday 29 April 2026. Both matches kick off at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST, 15:00 ET). The exact fixture schedule, confirming which tie is played on which night, will be announced by UEFA on 16 April following the conclusion of the quarter-final second legs. The return legs follow on Tuesday 5 May and Wednesday 6 May 2026.
Where Are the Champions League Semi-Final First Legs?
The venues for the first legs depend on the outcome of the quarter-finals. Based on the current bracket, potential first-leg hosts include some of European football’s most iconic stadiums. Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes (47,929 capacity) or Liverpool’s Anfield (61,276) could feature, as could the Santiago Bernabeu (81,044) in Madrid, Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena (75,024), Barcelona’s revamped Spotify Camp Nou, Atletico Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano (70,460), the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon (50,095), or Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,704).
The winner of each semi-final will then travel to Budapest for the 2026 Champions League final at the Puskas Arena on 30 May, a 67,215-capacity venue that hosted the 2023 Europa League final and several Euro 2020 fixtures.
Key Contenders
The eight quarter-finalists represent a formidable collection of European heavyweights. Real Madrid, the defending champions and record 16-time winners, are once again in contention. Their quarter-final against Bayern Munich is a repeat of one of the competition’s great rivalries, with the two clubs having met in the semi-finals in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024.
Liverpool, seeking their seventh European Cup, face Paris Saint-Germain, a club still chasing their first Champions League title. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid renew their fierce Madrid-Barcelona rivalry in an all-Spanish quarter-final, while Arsenal, back among Europe’s elite in recent seasons, take on Sporting CP, who have been one of the surprise packages of the 2025-26 campaign.
Whichever four clubs emerge, the semi-finals will feature managers and players with vast Champions League pedigree. Carlo Ancelotti has won the competition four times as a manager, while Arne Slot’s Liverpool and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal represent a new generation of coaches determined to leave their mark on the tournament.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the Champions League semi-finals are broadcast live on TNT Sports, which carries 187 of the 204 matches across the tournament. One headline match per week is also available on Amazon Prime Video at no additional cost for Prime subscribers. BBC provides free highlights on BBC One or BBC Two on Wednesday evenings, with full highlights also available on BBC iPlayer.
In the United States, CBS holds exclusive broadcast rights. Live coverage is available on CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network, and the Paramount+ streaming platform, which streams every match. A Paramount+ Essential subscription starts at $7.99 per month.
Across Europe, coverage varies by market: DAZN in Germany, Italy, and Spain; Canal+ in France; and Movistar+ in Spain alongside DAZN. In Australia, Stan Sport holds the rights, while beIN Sports covers the Middle East and North Africa. Fans in India can watch via Sony Sports Network and JioCinema.
History and Records
The Champions League semi-finals have produced some of the most dramatic moments in football history. Real Madrid lead the all-time semi-final appearances table by a considerable margin, having reached the last four on more than 30 occasions across the European Cup and Champions League eras. Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Barcelona follow in the all-time rankings.
The semi-final stage has been the setting for several legendary comebacks. In 2018-19, Liverpool overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Barcelona at Anfield, winning the second leg 4-0 in one of the most remarkable nights in the competition’s history. That same season, Tottenham Hotspur recovered from 3-0 down on aggregate at half-time against Ajax to win 3-2 through Lucas Moura’s stoppage-time hat-trick goal. In 1999-2000, Real Madrid came from 3-1 down on aggregate against Bayern Munich to win 3-2 in the second leg and progress on aggregate.
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most Champions League semi-final goals with 13, scored across spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His 19 semi-final appearances are also a record. The largest aggregate victories at this stage include Bayern Munich’s 7-0 demolition of Barcelona in 2012-13 and Manchester City’s 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid in 2022-23.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Champions League semi-final first legs are sold directly by the home clubs, not through UEFA. Once the quarter-finals conclude and the semi-final pairings are confirmed, each club will release ticket information through their official website and ticketing platforms. Priority is typically given to season ticket holders and club members, with general sale tickets often limited.
Prices vary significantly depending on the venue and the clubs involved. At major grounds such as the Santiago Bernabeu, Anfield, or the Emirates Stadium, semi-final tickets can range from around 60 to 300 euros, with premium seats and hospitality packages priced considerably higher. Given the prestige of the semi-final stage, matches are routinely sold out, and fans may need to explore official resale platforms or hospitality packages for last-minute availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Champions League semi-final first legs start?
The first legs are on Tuesday 28 April and Wednesday 29 April 2026, with both matches kicking off at 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST).
Where are the Champions League semi-final first legs being held?
The venues depend on the quarter-final results. The home team in each semi-final hosts the first leg at their own stadium.
How can I watch the Champions League semi-finals?
In the UK, live coverage is on TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video. In the US, Paramount+ streams every match. Check local broadcasters for other regions.
Who won the Champions League last year?
Real Madrid won the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, their 16th title in the competition, cementing their status as the most successful club in European Cup history.