Ajax will face a challenging path in their return to Europe’s elite competition, having been placed in a formidable UEFA Champions League League Phase group. The Dutch powerhouse will go head-to-head with reigning Club World Cup champions Chelsea, last year’s UCL finalists Inter Milan, and a host of experienced European sides in their bid to make a deep run.
Ajax Returns to Champions League Spotlight
After a brief absence from the UEFA Champions League, Ajax are back in the tournament for the 2025/26 season. Their last appearance came during the 2022/23 campaign, which ended in disappointment after finishing third in the group—despite victories over Rangers, they suffered defeats in all matches against Liverpool and Napoli.
In the seasons since, the Amsterdam club shifted to the Europa League and Conference League. Their most notable performance came last year, reaching the Europa League Round of 16 before being eliminated. However, a late-season surge in the Eredivisie secured a dramatic second-place finish and guaranteed them a return to Europe’s top stage through UEFA’s revamped League Phase format.
A Challenging Draw Awaits
Thursday’s draw revealed a daunting path for Ajax. The Dutch side will square off against some of Europe’s most storied clubs, including Chelsea—recent Club World Cup winners—and Inter Milan, who came close to Champions League glory last season.
The rest of their League Phase schedule includes matches against Portuguese giants Benfica, La Liga’s Villarreal, Ligue 1’s Olympique Marseille, Greek champions Olympiacos, Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray, and Azerbaijan’s Qarabag. Match dates are set to be finalized this Saturday.
Full Champions League Schedule for Ajax
- Chelsea vs Ajax
- Ajax vs Inter
- Ajax vs Benfica
- Villarreal vs Ajax
- Olympique Marseille vs Ajax
- Ajax vs Olympiacos
- Ajax vs Galatasaray
- Qarabag vs Ajax
With no traditional group format this season, every match will carry weight as clubs compete in a single League Phase table. The top eight automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th–24th will battle it out in a knockout play-off round.
Road Ahead for the Amsterdam Giants
This draw presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Ajax. The team’s young talent and European pedigree will be tested against some of the continent’s best. However, with a passionate fan base and a history of punching above their weight, Ajax will aim to once again make headlines in the Champions League.
