Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano will host an early-season European test on 13 October, when Atlético de Madrid welcome Manchester United for Matchday 2 of the Champions League. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:00, with HBO and FOX carrying the match.
Diego Simeone’s side return home looking to repair the damage from a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool in their opening continental fixture. Atlético have been far more convincing in Spain, where their LaLiga start has placed them behind leaders Barcelona.
Quick facts
- Match: Atlético de Madrid vs Manchester United
- Competition: Champions League, Matchday 2
- Date: 13 October 2026
- Kick-off: 13:00
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
- TV coverage: HBO and FOX
- Atlético’s previous Champions League result: lost 2-1 at Liverpool
- Manchester United’s opening Champions League result: won heavily against Sabah, moving into fourth place
The Madrid club are still searching for greater fluency and a more ruthless way of closing out matches. The visit of one of England’s traditional powers gives Simeone’s team the chance to make their home ground count after the setback at Anfield.
United arrive with a sharply different split between domestic and European form. Their Premier League opening has fallen below expectations, but their Champions League campaign began emphatically with a heavy win over Sabah.
That result left the English club fourth in the early standings and offers a platform as they try to rediscover the level that carried them through the closing stretch of last season. United will aim to impose themselves away from home rather than allow Atlético to dictate the occasion.
For both sides, the meeting is an important early marker in the group-stage journey. A victory in Madrid would strengthen the route toward a deeper European run and keep the momentum alive in the race for the continent’s biggest club prize.
