Montpellier launch the title defence against 2017 winners in Round 1

The reigning winners of the VELUX EHF Champions League, Montpellier Handball will start their title defence in the 2018/19 season against HC Vardar, who won the title one year ago and were eliminated by Montpellier in the semi-final last season.

A complete playing schedule of the VELUX EHF Champions League has been finalised following a carefull coordination between the EHF, EHF Marketing, clubs and other stakeholders.

In other Round 1 matches on 12-16 September in Group A Telekom Veszprem HC play host to PGE Vive Kielce, IGK Kristianstad receive HC Meshkov Brest and Rhein-Neckar Löwen host the record EHF Champions League winners Barça Lassa.

In Group B the last season's runners-up, HBC Nantes start against the new German champions SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Celje Pivovarna Lasko take on Skjern Handbold, while HC PPD Zagreb welcome MOL-Pick Szeged and HC Motor Zaporozhye host Paris Saint-Germain Handball for the opener in their completely refurbished arena.

The last group phase round is scheduled for 27 February - 3 March.

The playing times of the first rounds will be announced in due time and the announcement of the first Matches of the Week will follow in August.

Check the complete overview of all 14 rounds in Groups A and B and 10 rounds in Groups C and D here