Chelsea return to the UEFA Champions League with a blockbuster away trip to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Below you’ll find kick-off time, legal TV/streaming options by country, quick team news, H2H context, and the most interesting pre-match stats.
Key Info
- Competition: UEFA Champions League (2025/26, league phase)
- Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST (21:00 CEST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT)
- Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
- Referee / VAR: José María Sánchez Martínez (ESP) / Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
How to Watch by Country
United Kingdom
- Live: TNT Sports (via discovery+ app; linear on TNT Sports channels). This tie is a Wednesday fixture (Prime Video holds Tuesday first-pick in the UK).
United States
- English: Paramount+ (all matches live; select games on CBS/CBS Sports Network).
- Spanish: Univision/TUDN/ViX.
Spain
- TV/Streaming: Movistar Plus+ (M+ Liga de Campeones), also available via Orange TV.
Republic of Ireland
- Free-to-air coverage: RTÉ and Virgin Media show multiple live games weekly (also via RTÉ Player / Virgin Media Player). Some additional games on Premier Sports.
Australia
- Streaming: Stan Sport add-on (live & on-demand).
Canada
- Streaming: DAZN (exclusive rights).
Germany
- Streaming: DAZN carries most matches; Prime Video has the Tuesday top-pick each week; highlights on ZDF. (This match is Wednesday → DAZN.)
Global
- Find your local broadcaster: Check UEFA’s broadcast partners list.
Team News
Bayern Munich
- Out/major doubts: Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Raphaël Guerreiro, Hiroki Itō.
- Note: Vincent Kompany could stick with a 4-2-3-1 with Kane leading the line.
Chelsea
- Out/major doubts: Romeo Lavia, Benoît Badiashile, Liam Delap; Dário Essugo out long-term.
- Squad change: Facundo Buonanotte registered under the new injury-replacement provision.
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanisic; Kimmich, Goretzka (Pavlović also tipped by some outlets); Olise, Gnabry, Luis Díaz; Kane.
Notes: Multiple German sources expect Laimer at RB and Stanisic at LB; Guerreiro is touch-and-go; Kim likely bench.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Sánchez; Reece James (or Malo Gusto), Tosin Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo Fernández; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Garnacho (Estevão if fully fit); João Pedro.
Notes: Estevao a doubt after illness; club used the new UEFA injury-replacement rule to register Facundo Buonanotte to the UCL list.
Head-to-Head & Form
- Bayern knocked out Chelsea in the 2019/20 Round of 16 (3–0 away, 4–1 home).
- Chelsea’s last Champions League meeting win over Bayern was the 2012 final (on penalties).
- Chelsea return to the UCL after a two-year absence; Bayern remain perennial league-phase heavyweights.
Key Stats
- Edge to Bayern in recent UCL meetings: Bayern have taken three of the last four vs Chelsea in this competition (the other a draw), with the Blues only prevailing in the 2012 final—on penalties.
- Munich fortress vs English teams: Bayern have lost just 1 of their last 11 UCL home games against English opposition (W8 D2), the lone defeat coming vs Liverpool in March 2019.
- Back on the big stage: Chelsea return to the UCL in 2025/26 after two seasons out.
- Milestone watch: Manuel Neuer sits on 99 UCL wins (150 apps) and can become only the fourth player to hit 100 (after Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Müller and Iker Casillas).
- Wonderkid watch: Estevao o could debut in the UCL at 18 years, 146 days; only three South Americans have scored younger—Endrick (18y 58d), Roque Santa Cruz (18y 71d) and Lionel Messi (18y 131d).
FAQs
Is Bayern vs Chelsea on free-to-air TV in the UK?
No—watch on TNT Sports (stream via discovery+).
What time is kick-off?
20:00 BST (21:00 CEST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT).
Where can I watch worldwide?
Check UEFA’s broadcast partners list for your country’s legal option.