How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN

The 2025/26 season of the UEFA Champions League is underway, with the competition now in its second season under the current format.

Once again, the opening stage of the Champions League will see a 36-team league system, with the top eight sides qualifying for the knockout round. 

Here's what you need to know about how to watch the Champions League in New Zealand.

How does the Champions League format work?

Thirty-six teams have formed a first-round league stage for the new season. Each side will play eight games, four at home and four away—but not against the same opposition. These games will run until the end of January 2026. 

Who qualifies from the League phase?

At the end of the League Phase, the top eight sides in the table will qualify automatically to the knockout stage. Teams ranked from 9th to 24th will contest a knockout play-off round, with the teams ranked from 9th to 16th the seeded team. The winners of those games will progress to the last 16.

Sides finishing 25th to 36th will be eliminated from the European competition altogether. 

Champions League 2025/26 league-phase match dates and schedule

• Matchday 1:  September 16-18
• Matchday 2:  September 30-October 1
• Matchday 3:  October 21/22
• Matchday 4:  November 4/5
• Matchday 5 : November 25/26
• Matchday 6:  December 9/10
• Matchday 7:  January 20/21
• Matchday 8 : January 28

Champions League 2025/26 knockout match dates and schedule

January 30, 2026, will see the draw for the two-legged knockout-phase play-offs.

The draws for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals then occurs on February 27.

• Knockout phase play-offs:  February 17/18 and 24/25
• Round of 16:  March 10/11 and 17/18
• Quarter-finals: April 7/8 and 14/15
• Semi-finals: April 28/29 and May 5/6
• Final:  May 30

How to watch Champions League games in New Zealand on DAZN

Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.

New customers can get a special 20% discount for a subscription. Sign up between September 11-September 19, 2025, to get an Annual Subscription for $119.99 (down from $149.99) as a one-off up-front cost; or $11.99 per month for 12 months, (reduced from $14.99)*.

A DAZN subscription also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.