Leipzig Face Blockbuster Champions League Campaign with Real Madrid, Man City and Manchester United

RB Leipzig now know their opponents for the 2026/27 Champions League league phase, and the draw has delivered a schedule packed with some of the biggest names in European football.

Die Roten Bullen will host Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven, Shakhtar Donetsk and RC Lens at the Red Bull Arena, while their four away fixtures will take them to Real Madrid, Manchester United, Feyenoord and Como.

It is difficult to imagine a more glamorous pair of away trips than Real Madrid and Manchester United. A visit to the Santiago Bernabéu will be one of the highlights of Leipzig's European campaign, while the trip to Old Trafford adds another historic venue to the schedule. Manchester City, meanwhile, will make the journey to Leipzig, giving supporters another opportunity to watch one of Europe's strongest teams at home.

The draw also gives RB Leipzig a fascinating tactical challenge because their role will constantly change. Against Real Madrid and Manchester City, they will likely have to accept periods without the ball, defend at a high level, and make their moments in transition count. Against Lens and Como, both entering this level with something to prove, Leipzig will instead carry much greater responsibility to impose themselves and dictate the game. That shift in mentality and approach can be just as demanding as facing the European giants: the Red Bulls will have to be comfortable playing both as the underdog and as the team expected to take control.

With eight different opponents, the league phase leaves little room for Leipzig to approach any fixture casually. The format means every result can have a significant impact on their eventual position and their route through the competition.

The club has been going through a period of change and will be looking to establish itself once again as one of Germany's leading representatives in Europe. The Champions League provides the perfect stage to demonstrate whether the project is moving in the right direction.

The home games could be particularly important. Facing Manchester City, PSV, Shakhtar and Lens at the Red Bull Arena gives Die Roten Bullen four opportunities to collect valuable points without having to deal with the demands of travelling abroad. At the same time, the away schedule will test their mentality, particularly against Real Madrid and Manchester United.

There is also an obvious appeal for Leipzig's supporters. Champions League football is always special, but having Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City involved makes this campaign stand out immediately.

RBL have been handed a draw that combines elite opposition, historic stadiums, difficult away trips and winnable fixtures. Now the challenge is turning an exciting fixture list into a successful European campaign.