It feels like forever ago that the draw for the 2025/26 European season took place. For Celtic fans, the dream of hearing that iconic anthem under the lights at Parkhead is a religious experience. But if you’ve been looking for the celtic champions league fixtures for this January, you might have noticed something a bit depressing.
The Hoops aren't in the Champions League anymore.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow. After all the buildup and the "new format" excitement, Celtic’s journey in the premier competition ended before the league phase even started. They crashed out in the play-off round to Kairat Almaty. It was one of those nights that haunts your sleep. A 0-0 draw at home, followed by another 0-0 in Kazakhstan, and then the heartbreak of a 3-2 loss on penalties.
Where the Road Diverged: From Champions League to Europa League
Because they fell at the final hurdle of the Champions League qualifiers, Brendan Rodgers and his squad were parachuted into the UEFA Europa League. That’s where the action is happening now. If you're a season ticket holder or just someone trying to clear your calendar for the big midweek games, the schedule has shifted significantly.
The "new" European format is basically a giant league now. No more groups of four. Celtic has been battling through an eight-game "League Phase" since September.
Here is the reality of the schedule they've faced so far and what is coming up:
- September 24: Crvena Zvezda 1–1 Celtic (A tough away point in Belgrade)
- October 2: Celtic 0–2 Braga (A frustrating night at Paradise)
- October 23: Celtic 2–1 Sturm Graz (Finally, a win under the lights!)
- November 6: Midtjylland 3–1 Celtic (A defensive disaster in Denmark)
- November 27: Feyenoord 1–3 Celtic (Arguably the best performance of the season)
- December 11: Celtic 0–3 Roma (A reality check against top-tier opposition)
What Most People Get Wrong About the Remaining Fixtures
If you are looking for the next European nights, forget Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s all about Thursday now.
People keep searching for "celtic champions league fixtures" because they assume the Hoops are still at the top table. While the prestige isn't the same, the stakes for the next two games are massive. Currently, Celtic is sitting in 24th place in the Europa League table with 7 points. That is the very last spot for the knockout play-offs. They are dangling by a thread.
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Upcoming European Dates to Circle
You’ve got two huge matches left to decide if European football continues into February.
January 22, 2026: Bologna vs. Celtic (Away)
Kick-off is at 5:45 PM. This is the big one. Bologna has been solid in Serie A, and the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara is never an easy place to go. If Celtic can sneak a draw here, they stay in the hunt.January 29, 2026: Celtic vs. Utrecht (Home)
Kick-off is at 8:00 PM. The final stand. Utrecht has struggled a bit this year, and a packed Celtic Park should, in theory, be enough to carry the Bhoys over the line.
The Domestic Grind vs. European Ambition
It’s been a weird winter. Just a few weeks ago, on January 3rd, the team suffered a bruising 3-1 loss to Rangers at home. Yang gave the fans hope with a goal in the 20th minute, but the second half was a total collapse.
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However, they bounced back. Last weekend, they absolutely hammered Dundee United 4-0. Goals from Yang, Engels, Nygren, and Maeda showed that the firepower is there. The problem is consistency. You can't beat Dundee United 4-0 and then lose 3-0 to Roma at home if you want to be taken seriously in Europe.
The Fatigue Factor
Brendan Rodgers is juggling a lot. Between the Scottish Premiership, where they are currently 2nd behind Hearts (yes, you read that right, Hearts are leading the pack as of mid-January), and the Scottish Cup tie against Auchinleck Talbot on January 18th, the squad is stretched thin.
They are playing Falkirk on January 14th, then the cup game, then flying to Italy for the Bologna match. It's a grueling schedule.
Why These Remaining Fixtures Still Matter
Most fans will say "it’s just the Europa League," but let’s be real—the revenue and the coefficient points are vital. If Celtic falls out of the top 24, their European season is dead.
The new format means every single goal matters. Goal difference is often the tiebreaker. Currently, Celtic’s GD is -4. They need to keep it tight in Italy.
Actionable Insights for the Final Stretch:
- Watch the Discipline: Celtic has picked up 11 yellow cards in 6 European matches. If McGregor or Johnston get suspended for the Utrecht game, the midfield and defense lose their spine.
- The Yang Factor: Yang Min-hyeok is the man in form. He’s been scoring domestically and looks like the only one capable of scaring European defenses right now.
- Travel Plans: If you're heading to Bologna, the game is on a Thursday. Make sure your flights account for the 5:45 PM early kick-off, which is catch-you-out early for those used to the 8:00 PM Champions League slots.
- The Table Watch: Keep an eye on the results of GNK Dinamo and Basel. They are right behind Celtic in 25th and 26th place. If they win their next games and Celtic loses in Italy, the Utrecht game becomes a must-win just to avoid total elimination.
The dream of the Champions League died in August, but the season's pulse is still beating in the Europa League. These last two fixtures in January will define whether 2026 starts with a bang or a whimper for the green and white.
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To stay on top of the schedule, mark your calendar for the Bologna trip on the 22nd and the Utrecht home game on the 29th. Check local listings for broadcast changes, as Thursday night slots often fluctuate based on TV demand across the UK and Europe.