PSG Chase History as the 2026/27 Champions League Returns: Can Anyone Stop the Parisians?

Here we go again. Another thrilling UEFA Champions League season gets underway this week, and the stakes couldn't possibly be higher.

As the new league phase kicks off, all eyes are locked on Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique’s side is embarking on a mission that very few teams in football history have ever accomplished: winning the Champions League three years in a row.

Let’s be honest—defending the crown is hard enough. PSG managed it last season in dramatic fashion, edging out Arsenal on penalties in Budapest to retain the trophy they’d historic claimed for the very first time just a year prior. By winning back-to-back titles, they’ve already etched their names alongside the legendary Real Madrid side of the modern era as the only clubs to pull off consecutive triumphs since 1992.

But a three-peat? That’s territory reserved for absolute immortals.

We’re talking about elite company here: Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid (2016–2018), Ajax in the early seventies, and Bayern Munich shortly after. Not to mention Real's iconic five-in-a-row run back in the dawn of the European Cup.

"Our objectives are clear," Luis Enrique recently stated, keeping his trademark intensity. "I want to win important trophies and there are none more important than the Champions League."

Navigating the Maze: The New Format and Tough Draws

Securing back-to-back titles hasn't been a walk in the park. Interestingly, PSG’s historic runs coincided with the introduction of the expanded 36-team league phase, where clubs play eight different opponents.

If you've been following closely, you'll remember that the Parisians actually labored a bit in the league phase over the last two campaigns, finishing outside the automatic top eight and having to grind through the play-off rounds just to reach the last 16.

And they won't have it easy this time around either. The fixture gods handed them another brutal slate, including heavyweight clashes against Manchester City, Barcelona, and Aston Villa. It just goes to show how tough Europe's elite mountain is to climb. Year after year, the gap between the super clubs and the rest feels wider than ever.

Arsenal’s Next Logical Step

Speaking of heavyweights, let's talk about the Premier League. Armed with financial muscle and relentless squads, England's representatives are primed to make massive waves.

Chief among them? Arsenal.

Think about the trajectory Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have been on over the last three seasons: quarter-finals, semi-finals, and then last season's heart-wrenching final defeat. There’s a very clear, logical next step for this team. They topped the league phase last season with a flawless record, proving they belong with the big boys. However, they won't ease into it—a tricky opening trip to face Napoli awaits.

England boasts five teams in the mix this season. Manchester City kick off their campaign against FC Porto on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and they'll be joined by Liverpool, a resurgent Manchester United, and Aston Villa.

Throw in a perversely formidable Bayern Munich, Jose Mourinho's dramatic return to the Real Madrid dugout to chase more continental glory, and a perpetually hungry Barcelona, and you realize how ferocious this race is. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine the trophy slipping out of the hands of this select group—though dark horses like Inter Milan or a fiercely motivated Atletico Madrid (who are dreaming of a final hosted in their home stadium) might have something to say about it.

The Magic of the Underdogs and Debutants

While the super clubs dominate the headlines, the true romance of the Champions League lies elsewhere. Did you know that Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto back in 2004 remains the only club outside of Spain, England, Germany, Italy, and France to lift the trophy in the last 30 years?

That's a sobering stat, but this season brings a fresh wave of debutants ready to throw caution to the wind.

Take Como, for instance. Under the guidance of Cesc Fàbregas, they punched above their weight to finish fourth in Serie A last season, gatecrashing the party at the expense of Italian royalty like AC Milan and Juventus.

Then there’s Viking Stavanger, reaching the Champions League proper for the very first time after securing their first Norwegian league title in 34 years.

And you have to love Sabah’s story. The Azerbaijani champions battled through four grueling qualifying ties to book a dream ticket—and their reward? A opening night trip to Old Trafford.

Even better is the man in the dugout: Valdas Dambrauskas. Before becoming a professional football manager, Dambrauskas funded his early coaching ambitions with the winnings he earned appearing on the Lithuanian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

"Since I was 12, when I realised I will not be a professional player, I knew I wanted to be a football coach," he shared in an interview with Flashscore. "I cannot guess what would have happened without this game, but I believe I would have found a way to achieve my dream."

The Stakes Are Astronomical

Sure, a fairy-tale run for clubs like Sabah or Viking Stavanger might hit a ceiling in the league phase—though Qarabag proved last year that surprises do happen. But simply making it this far is transformative.

Just reaching the league phase guarantees a baseline payout of nearly €20 million ($23.2m)—a life-changing sum for clubs from smaller leagues. On the flip side, the ultimate winners will rake in around €90 million in direct prize money alone. Factor in lucrative broadcasting rights and matchday revenue, and you begin to understand why PSG pocketed a staggering €150 million for each of their last two European triumphs.

The stage is set. The lights are shining brighter than ever. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and let’s enjoy the ride.

Join the Conversation!

Who is your pick to lift the trophy this season? Can PSG pull off the impossible three-peat, or will a Premier League powerhouse steal the crown? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!