Tottenham new stadium: Club confirm they will start their Champions League campaign at Wembley

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that their first home Champions League match this season will be played at Wembley Stadium, following delays to their new stadium.

The club have delayed the opening of their new ground because of “issues with critical safety systems”, having originally planned to play their first game at the stadium on 15 September against Liverpool.

That fixture has since been moved to Wembley, as has the club’s following home game against Cardiff on 6 October. A venue for the Premier League game against Manchester City on 28 October is yet to be confirmed.

Champions League rules stipulate that club’s should play all of their home games at one venue “in principle” – although Tottenham appear to have negotiated a compromise.

Spurs will begin their European campaign at Wembley (Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty)

The club said: “We have agreed with UEFA that the first home matchday of this season’s Champions League group stage, scheduled on either matchday one (week commencing 17 September) or matchday two (week commencing 1 October), will be staged at Wembley Stadium.”

The club have meanwhile received special dispensation from the EFL to reverse their first Carabao Cup match and play away, should they be drawn at home in the third round.

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“In the event that Tottenham Hotspur are drawn at home in Round Three of the Carabao Cup, the Club can apply for special dispensation from the EFL Board to play their fixture away from home as a result of the delays in moving to their new stadium,” the EFL said in a statement.

“If the circumstances dictate a reversal is required, then the EFL Board can also determine a level of compensation to be paid by Tottenham Hotspur to the opposing club.

“The compensation precedent was set in August 2016 when, prior to the draw, Liverpool FC were given permission to play their EFL Cup Round Two tie under the same terms due to redevelopment work taking place on the Club’s Main Stand. On that occasion the draw determined it was not necessary.

An EFL spokesman said: “If required, the rules of the Carabao Cup provide for the Board of the EFL to consider requests to reverse fixtures or for matches to be played at a neutral venue. Any decision to grant dispensation takes into account all relevant circumstances facing a Club at the time the fixture is scheduled to take place.”

There is a delay with Tottenham's new stadium (PA)

The seven Premier League Clubs competing in Europe this season will all enter the competition at the third round stage, including holders Manchester City.