Football fans have plenty to look forward to in 2025, with an action-packed calendar featuring some of the most anticipated games in the sport.
The last calendar year offered unforgettable moments at Euro 2024, but from high-stakes domestic clashes to thrilling international tournaments, this year could go toe-to-toe with 2024.
Indeed, the beautiful game continues to deliver excitement, with a battle for Champions League glory picking up momentum parallel with intense domestic league rivalries.
With streaming options making it simple to catch every goal, tackle, and celebration, here’s a guide to the biggest football games you won’t want to miss.
UEFA Champions League Final – May 31st
The highlight of European football’s club calendar returns to Bayern Munich’s famous Allianz Arena for the first time since 2012, with Liverpool leading the charge.
According to ExpressVPN’s research, last season’s title-deciding fixture between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund saw over 450 million viewers tuning in for the pinnacle of club football in Europe.
Madrid’s title-defending campaign has already suffered several setbacks, casting doubt on their quest to bring home a record-extending 16th trophy.
On the other hand, table-topping Liverpool have gone into overdrive under new boss Arne Slot, who became only the second manager in Champions League history to win their first seven games in charge via Opta.
UEFA Europa League Final – May 21st
Manchester United’s domestic campaign has been an unmitigated disaster, but the Red Devils remain the front-runners to lift Europe’s second most prestigious trophy.
Per the Daily Mirror, Ruben Amorim equalled a flattering milestone on Thursday as United saw Rangers off at Old Trafford, making him the third boss in club history to win his first four European games in the dugout.
However, Man Utd will face stiff competition from fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur and Serie A powerhouse Lazio in a bid to claim the title won by Atalanta last term.
Watch out for surprises, though. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are more than capable of causing upsets, not to mention Basque giants Athletic Bilbao.
Napoli vs Inter Milan – March 2nd
Antonio Conte has returned to Serie A to haunt former club Inter Milan, guiding Napoli to the table’s summit, three points clear of the Nerazzurri at the halfway point of the 2024/25 campaign.
However, Simone Inzaghi’s men have a game in hand and remain the leading candidates to win another Scudetto amid talks Marcus Thuram could be the subject of a mega-money offer from Arsenal.
Linked with a summer exit, the Frenchman will be keen to bid farewell on the back of a second consecutive league triumph, and the upcoming clash at Stadio Diego Maradona could determine the title fate.
The spoils were shared in a controversial reverse fixture at Giuseppe Meazza as Inter fought back from an early deficit to make it four Serie A matches against Napoli without losing on the trot.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid – May 11th
Hansi Flick has been a thorn in Madrid’s side, beating Carlo Ancelotti in both editions of the famous El Clasico, including an emphatic 5-2 win in January’s Supercoppa de Espana final.
That victory was nothing less impressive than a 4-0 demolition at the Santiago Bernabeu in late October.
Flick has helped Barcelona regain supremacy in this iconic match-up after losing four in a row beforehand, though it won’t matter much if Los Blaugranas fail to dethrone their arch-rivals come May.
No matter how the title race goes, Barcelona will be ready to contend for the La Liga title next season. And it seems Aston Villa’s latest signing Marcus Rashford wants to join Barca in the summer transfer window. Something to watch out for going forward.
Liverpool vs Arsenal – May 5th
After back-to-back runner-up finishes behind Manchester City, Arsenal had hoped this could be their season, especially after Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool last summer.
Instead, the Gunners are perilously close to finishing second again unless they haul back a six-point deficit on the table-topping Reds, who also have a game in hand.
Mikel Arteta’s side must try to hold up their end of the bargain and win as many games as possible before heading to Anfield for potentially a title-defining clash against Arne Slot’s high-flyers.
With all due respect to Nottingham Forest’s remarkable season, this contest will probably decide the next Premier League champion now that Man City are no longer in the picture.
