Roma's Champions League return: group stage draw on 27 August, first match 8 September

Roma will learn their eight group-stage opponents for the 2026–27 Champions League on 27 August 2026, with their first match scheduled for 8 September. The club will compete in the new 36-team league phase format, where the top eight finishers advance directly to the knockout stages, sides finishing ninth to 24th enter a playoff round, and teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated. The campaign concludes on 27 January 2027, when all final matchday fixtures kick off simultaneously. Roma's return to Europe's premier competition marks an end to a seven-year absence from the Champions League. The announcement has sparked anticipation among supporters, with references to Stephan El Shaarawy's goal that secured the club's qualification. The iconic Champions League anthem, composed by Tony Britten and adapted from Georg Friedrich Händel's Zadok the Priest, will herald the giallorossi's participation in the tournament once more. From 2027 onwards, the defending champions will open their season with a standalone Tuesday evening fixture. The 2027 final was initially assigned to San Siro but has been relocated to Madrid due to stadium renovation work.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma supporters have purchased nearly 10,000 cup competition subscriptions within a day of the 2026–27 campaign opening. The sale began at noon on 12 August, with an initial phase reserved for holders of Serie A season tickets. The response was immediate, with almost 10,000 fans committing to match tickets within just over 24 hours. The Cup Subscription covers the four home fixtures in the League Phase of the Champions League and the Coppa Italia round of 16. The early take-up underscores the enthusiasm surrounding Roma's return to European club football's premier competition. The preferential purchase phase remains open until Wednesday, 19 August, allowing season-ticket holders to exercise their right to buy. Once that period closes—provided seats remain available—general sale will open to all Roma supporters. Club officials expect subscription numbers to continue rising through the remainder of the preferential window. The strong opening figures reflect what the club describes as genuine excitement among the fanbase ahead of another season as protagonists at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma will learn their eight group-stage opponents for the 2026–27 Champions League on 27 August 2026, with their first match scheduled for 8 September. The club will compete in the new 36-team league phase format, where the top eight finishers advance directly to the knockout stages, sides finishing ninth to 24th enter a playoff round, and teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated. The campaign concludes on 27 January 2027, when all final matchday fixtures kick off simultaneously. Roma's return to Europe's premier competition marks an end to a seven-year absence from the Champions League. The announcement has sparked anticipation among supporters, with references to Stephan El Shaarawy's goal that secured the club's qualification. The iconic Champions League anthem, composed by Tony Britten and adapted from Georg Friedrich Händel's Zadok the Priest, will herald the giallorossi's participation in the tournament once more. From 2027 onwards, the defending champions will open their season with a standalone Tuesday evening fixture. The 2027 final was initially assigned to San Siro but has been relocated to Madrid due to stadium renovation work.

Paulo Dybala has consolidated his status as Roma's cornerstone player despite an injury-depleted forward line under Gian Piero Gasperini. The club initially weighed the possibility of parting with the Argentine at the end of his contract, mindful of his €8 million net annual salary in the 2025–26 season and the 21 matches he missed due to physical problems. However, a contract extension through 2027, confirmed on 13 July, resolved all doubts. Dybala accepted a 70% salary reduction to remain in giallorosso colours, demonstrating his deep attachment to the club. With Stephan El Shaarawy departing on a free transfer, Lorenzo Venturino and Bryan Zaragoza returning to their parent clubs, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sidelined by injury, Dybala and Matías Soulé carry almost the entire responsibility for the attacking midfield role. His experience proves invaluable ahead of Roma's European campaign: Dybala's 53 Champions League appearances make him the squad's most seasoned European player, ahead of Nahuel Molina (37 appearances), Donyell Malen and Mario Hermoso (31 each). Against Borussia Dortmund in a friendly on 15 August at 17:30, Dybala is set once again to lead the team on the pitch, confirming his status as both a technical and commercial pillar of the club.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.