The wait is over — the UEFA Champions League returns in full force today, September 16, with the official start of the group stage. This marks the second season of the competition’s expanded format, featuring a 36-team group battling it out for a place in the knockout rounds.

Each round will deliver a footballing feast with 16 matches per matchday. Matchday 1 is spread across three days, with six games scheduled for each.

Today's Fixtures: Heavyweights and Dark Horses Collide

The opening night sees several intriguing clashes, including the likes of:

PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise
Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal
Real Madrid vs Olympique de Marseille
Benfica vs Qarabağ FK
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Tottenham Hotspur vs Villarreal CF