Fenerbahçe to host Roma in Champions League: match date, kick-off time and referee confirmed

Fenerbahçe will begin their 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League league phase campaign with a home fixture against Roma. The yellow-and-navy blue side will face the Italian club on Thursday, September 10, at 19:45 local time at Chobani Stadyumu Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi. Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano has been appointed to oversee the crucial encounter. According to reports, the match is expected to be broadcast on TRT 1, though official confirmation from the broadcast schedule is still pending.

Under head coach İsmail Kartal, the squad continues preparations for the Roma clash at the Can Bartu Facilities. In the most recent training session, players completed warm-up, agility and coordination drills before splitting into three groups for a 5-versus-2 possession exercise. The session concluded with tactical and individual work. Fenerbahçe will finish their preparations with one final training session on Wednesday, September 9.

This fixture carries special significance for Fenerbahçe, as the club successfully navigated the qualifying rounds to return to the Champions League's main stage after an 18-year absence. The long-awaited comeback has generated considerable excitement among supporters. The match against Roma represents the first step of the storied club's renewed journey in Europe's premier competition.

Under the new 36-team league format, Fenerbahçe will also face Aston Villa, Slavia Prague, Liverpool, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid during the league phase. Of the eight total matches, four will be played at home and four away. The top eight teams at the end of the league phase advance directly to the round of 16, while clubs finishing between 9th and 24th enter a play-off round for a place in the knockout stage. Teams ranked 25th or lower exit the competition; Fenerbahçe will be aiming to collect as many points as possible from these eight matches to secure progression.