Why are there Champions League games on Thursday?

What the report says

BBC Sport Football explains that some Champions League matches are being played on Thursday because of the competition’s revised format. Under the system introduced for the 2024-25 season, Uefa set aside a dedicated week for top-tier European club football, with Champions League fixtures scheduled across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and no Europa League or Conference League games in that same week.

According to the BBC’s Ask Me Anything team, this season’s special week has been placed right at the start of the league phase, with matches spread across 8-10 September. The piece notes that the Thursday scheduling is unusual for fans, who are more used to Champions League games on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the Europa League and Conference League usually occupy Thursdays.

The BBC says that normal pattern is expected to return in 2026-27, although the other Uefa competitions will also have their own exclusive weeks. It adds that the Europa League’s exclusive week is set for 16-17 September, while the Conference League has a single-night exclusive week on 17 December.

The article also lists six Champions League fixtures scheduled for Thursday, including Manchester United against Sabah FK, Bayern Munich against Bodo/Glimt and Roma against Fenerbahce. The explanation matters because the scheduling change affects broadcast planning, match calendars and supporter expectations across European football.