PSV Eindhoven host Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk at the Philips Stadion on Thursday in their opening UEFA Champions League league phase fixture of 2026.
The first round match of the 2026-27 tournament begins at 13:45 Brasilia time in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Television coverage in Brazil is scheduled on Space, with live streaming on HBO Max and real-time updates provided by CNN Esportes.
PSV enter the competition after establishing themselves as the dominant force in Dutch football in recent years, capitalized in part by the domestic decline of rivals Ajax. Head coach Peter Bosz guided the Eindhoven club to a third consecutive Eredivisie title during the 2025-26 season, finishing 19 points clear of runners-up Feyenoord while scoring 101 goals.
The core of Bosz's squad remains largely intact for the new European campaign, although midfielder Ismael Saibari departed for German giants Bayern Munich following the World Cup. PSV are looking to build on their domestic supremacy as they begin another campaign in Europe's elite club competition.
PSV record in Champions League opening games
Despite their strong domestic form, PSV face a troubling recent history in European openers. The Dutch champions have not won their opening match of a Champions League campaign since the 2015-16 season, when they earned a 2-1 victory over English side Manchester United at the Philips Stadion.
Since that victory a decade ago, PSV have suffered five consecutive defeats in their opening Champions League matches. Reversing that trend at their home stadium in Eindhoven will be a key objective for Bosz and his players on Thursday afternoon.
Shakhtar return to top European competition
Shakhtar Donetsk return to the Champions League stage after missing out on the tournament during the 2025-26 season. In that campaign, the Ukrainian club suffered early elimination in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League before entering the UEFA Conference League.
During their Conference League run, Shakhtar advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated by English Premier League side Crystal Palace, who subsequently went on to win the competition. Shakhtar rebounded domestically by winning their 16th Ukrainian league championship under manager Arda Turan.
Turan, the former Turkish international midfielder, took charge of Shakhtar in May 2025 following a successful managerial spell at Turkish club Eyupspor. Under his leadership, the Donetsk club reclaimed the domestic crown and secured direct qualification for the expanded European league phase.
Neutral home venue for Shakhtar matches
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk remain unable to host European matches on home soil. For the 2026-27 Champions League campaign, the Ukrainian champions will play their home fixtures at Stamford Bridge in London, the home stadium of Chelsea.
Thursday's meeting in Eindhoven marks the beginning of an eight-game league phase schedule for both clubs in the reformed tournament format. Both teams will aim to secure early points to position themselves in the upper half of the 36-team standings.
