Borussia Dortmund launch their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League group stage campaign with a home fixture against Villarreal. The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 9:00 PM at Signal-Iduna-Park.
The Bundesliga side enters Europe's premier competition on the back of a win in their first league match. Currently, BVB sits fifth in the Bundesliga table with three points from one game. The team won their opener 2-0, giving them a goal difference of plus two. Their next challenge comes on September 5 with an away match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who are currently in 12th place.
Squad depth for the first Champions League match will be tested by several absences. According to the latest injury reports, Giannis Konstantelias, Justin Lerma, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ramy Bensebaini are currently unavailable. These absences affect both defensive and offensive areas, likely forcing the coaching staff to consider adjustments. Exact return dates for the players have not been made public. Fans can always check the current status of the injury list on our injuries page.
The history between Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal is very brief. There has been only one previous meeting between the two teams in the Champions League. This makes the matchday one encounter a kind of fresh start with little historical baggage. It's a completely new chapter in European history for both sides. The Spaniards travel to Dortmund as an experienced European campaigner.
Following the opener against Villarreal, Borussia Dortmund faces a tightly packed schedule. Immediately after the European match comes the Bundesliga away game at Hoffenheim. The complete overview of all upcoming competitive matches, including further Champions League dates, can be found on our fixtures page. The team will need to manage their energy carefully in the coming weeks. The current Bundesliga table situation can be viewed under standings.
Signal-Iduna-Park will once again be called upon as a European fortress on September 8. The 9:00 PM kick-off promises an atmospheric setting under the floodlights. For Borussia Dortmund, it is the first step in a new Champions League season approached with high ambition. The next competitive match after the European night is the game at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on September 5, 2026.
