The draw for the league phase for the 2025/2026 Champions League have been conducted on Thursday.

This year, the competition will continue to use the ‘Swiss-style’ league phase rather than the group stage to which fans had become accustomed.

That means that 36 teams will again take part in the competition.

Then the top eight sides will then qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams that finish in ninth to 24th place will be drawn in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions.Here are some of the fixtures:

Bayern Munich will face Chelsea (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting CP (H), PSV (A), Union SG (H), Pafos (A)Chelsea will play Barcelona (H), Bayern Munich (A), Benfica (H), Atalanta (A), Ajax (H), Napoli (A), Pafos (H), Qarabag (A)Real Madrid take on Manchester City (H), Liverpool (A), Juventus (H), Benfica (A), Marseille (H), Olympiacos (A), Monaco (H), Kairat Almaty (A).

Inter Milan have been drawn against Liverpool (H), Dortmund (A), Arsenal (H), Atletico Madrid (A), Salavia Praha (H), Ajax (A), Kairat Almaty, Union SGBorussia Dortmund will face Inter Milan (H), Manchester City, Villarreal, Juventus, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, Athletic Club, Copenhagen (A)Liverpool play Real Madrid (H), Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Frankfurt, PSV, Marseille, Qarabag, Galatasaray (A)

Barcelona take on PSG (H), Chelsea, Frankfurt, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Copenhage, Newcastle (A).

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that more than 6,382 athletes and officials will converge in Asaba for the 9th edition of the National Youth Games.

The game will run from August 29 to September 6.

In a statement the NSC said that the figure was obtained from the completion of the Digital Registration Management (DRM) process, with participants drawn from all 36 states of the federation.

The games aim to promote grassroots sports and unearth the next generation of Nigerian champions.

The NYG has grown into a major sporting event, fostering unity and offering young talents a platform to shine on the national stage.

This year’s edition will feature 37 sporting events, promising a showcase of skill, teamwork, and determination across multiple disciplines.

Defending champions, Team Delta, will be looking to hold on to their crown but face fierce competition from equally ambitious contingents at the 2025 edition.

The NSC said that the Games remain “a celebration of talent, resilience, and national unity,” with nine days of thrilling action expected to produce the country’s future stars.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the air transportation of 170 of the state’s contingent to compete in 17 sporting events at the National Youth Games, Asaba, Delta State.

The acting Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Ibrahim Fagge, who disclosed this , said that the contingent is departing Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for Asaba today (Tuesday).

Fagge said the decision was in line with the Governor’s pledge to prioritise the safety of athletes representing the state at national events.

He recalled that 22 athletes from the state lost their lives in a road accident while returning from Ogun during the Gateway Games.

“The governor is a humble leader who has shown concern and readiness to deploy all available means to protect the lives and property of Kano people,” he said.

He urged the athletes to strive to make the state proud and remain good ambassadors of the government and people of Kano throughout the competition.

The acting chairman added that two coaster buses with drivers had already been deployed to Asaba to assist the contingent and provide local logistics during the games.