The last four are set. PSG, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid will contest the 2026 Champions League semi-finals — two ties with a combined weight of history, tactical intrigue and genuine star quality. The final is in Budapest on May 30. Here's everything you need to know.
Four clubs. Two ties. One European crown. After a knockout stage full of drama — PSG's demolition of Chelsea, Arsenal's grinding passage past Atletico in the quarters, and Bayern's ruthless march through the draw — we're down to the last four, and honestly, it's hard to argue with the field. These are the teams that earned their place.
Tie one: PSG vs Bayern Munich
First legs: Tuesday, April 28 (at Parc des Princes). Second leg: Wednesday, May 6 (at Allianz Arena).
This is the glamour tie. Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich — two clubs that have spent the last decade cycling through each other's orbit in the latter stages of European football's biggest competition. PSG have already disposed of Chelsea in the last round with a staggering 8-2 aggregate scoreline, a result that underlined just how far Luis Enrique has taken this side. They're not just talented; they're structured, relentless and difficult to hurt.
Bayern, for their part, have been purring all season. Harry Kane has been phenomenal — the England striker finally getting his hands on the sort of platform where his goalscoring record can be truly celebrated rather than used as a punchline about trophies. The German giants have rediscovered their European swagger and come into this tie with confidence and momentum.
Who wins? PSG's pressing game at the Parc des Princes in the first leg could be decisive. If they can build a lead before heading to Munich, Bayern face a real problem. But the Allianz Arena second leg is where PSG have historically come unstuck. The crowd, the pressure, the occasion — it's going to be tight.
Tie two: Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
First leg: Wednesday, April 29 (at Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid). Second leg: Tuesday, May 5 (at the Emirates, London).
This is the battle of two of the most tactically disciplined sides in Europe, and it's going to be fascinating. Arsenal have been the Premier League's dominant force this season, with Mikel Arteta's system running on all cylinders. Bukayo Saka in particular has been in the kind of form that makes opposition managers lose sleep — quick, direct, and decisive in the final third.
Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone is, as always, built on structure, physical intensity and the ability to grind results out of matches where they're not necessarily the better team. They will sit deep at the Emirates in the second leg, look to nick something on the break, and make Arsenal's life extremely uncomfortable. That's what Simeone does. That's always what Simeone does.
The first leg in Madrid is crucial. Arsenal need to arrive with something — ideally a lead — because an Atletico side defending a 1-0 or 0-0 heading into the second leg at a hostile Metropolitano... that's a very different proposition to an Arsenal team with breathing room. The Gunners know this. Arteta's preparation for that first leg will be meticulous.
What's at stake beyond the final
For Arsenal, reaching a Champions League final would be seismic — the club has never won the competition, and a generation of supporters has waited decades for this kind of opportunity. The Emirates has been rocking all season; a run to Budapest would take the noise to another level entirely.
For PSG, this is about completion. French football's biggest club has been trying to win this trophy for over a decade. The squad pieces are finally aligned. If not now, when?
Bayern don't need another Champions League — they've already got six — but they want one badly, and this squad feels ready. And Atletico? They'd love nothing more than to be the ones standing in everyone's way again.
The final: May 30, Puskas Arena, Budapest
Whoever gets through, they'll be heading to Budapest's stunning 67,000-capacity Puskas Arena for the final on Saturday, May 30. It's the kind of stadium and city that tends to produce memorable occasions. The stage is set — now the football has to live up to it.
Semi-final first legs kick off April 28 and 29. Start watching closely. This is where the real story gets written.
Follow SoloScore for live Champions League updates, team news, player ratings and analysis throughout the semi-finals and beyond.
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