The draw for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League is set for Thursday in Monaco, where the full schedule for the League Phase, commencing on September 8, will be revealed.
Paris Saint-Germain enters as the two-time defending champion, having triumphed over Arsenal via penalties in June’s final. They are the first team to win back-to-back titles since Real Madrid achieved three consecutive victories from 2016 to 2018.
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A total of 36 teams will compete in the League Phase, with 29 having secured their places based on their performance in their domestic leagues. The remaining seven spots were filled through qualifying rounds concluding on Wednesday.
When is the Champions League draw and how can I watch?
The draw for the League Phase will occur on Thursday, August 27, at noon ET in Monaco. Fans in the United States can watch on Paramount+, ViX, and CBS Sports Golazo, while those in Canada can tune in via DAZN and fuboTV. The event will also be streamed on UEFA.com and UEFA.tv.
Which teams have qualified for the 2026-27 Champions League?
Austria: LASK
Azerbaijan: Sabah FK
Belgium: Club Brugge
Czechia: Slavia Prague
England: Aston Villa, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Lens, Lille
Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, VfB Stuttgart
Greece: AEK Athens
Italy: Inter Milan, Napoli, Roma, Como
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
Norway: Bodø/Glimt, Viking FK
Portugal: Porto, Sporting CP
Slovakia: ŠK Slovan Bratislava
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Real Betis
Türkiye: Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe
Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
The UEFA Champions League trophy is on display prior to the draw for the 2026/27 Second Qualifying Round.
(Kristian Skeie – UEFA via Getty Images)
How does the draw work?
The draw will categorize the 36 participating teams into four pots according to their UEFA club coefficients, reflecting their performance in European competitions over the past five seasons leading up to the end of the 2025-26 season. Defending champions PSG will be placed in Pot 1.
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Teams will be drawn, starting from Pot 1, against opponents from each of the four pots for a total of eight matchups. Each club will compete in four home and four away matches.
A new UEFA rule stipulates that a club may not host a team it faced at home in either of the past two League Phases. Thus, if Liverpool is matched against Real Madrid, the game will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu rather than Anfield, with similar arrangements for a potential meeting between Inter Milan and Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Due to the ongoing conflict affecting Shakhtar Donetsk, they have reached an agreement to conduct their home fixtures at Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea. Chelsea did not qualify for European competition last season after finishing 10th in the league, so there will be no fixture overlaps.
Who is in each pot?
Pot 1: PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
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Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Sporting CP, Aston Villa, Porto, Manchester United, Club Brugge, Real Betis, PSV
Pot 3: Feyenoord, Lille, Bodø/Glimt, Napoli, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe
Pot 4: Slavia Prague, ŠK Slovan Bratislava, VfB Stuttgart, LASK, Como, Lens, Sabah FK, Viking, AEK Athens
How does the knockout stage work?
After the League Phase concludes, teams finishing 25th to 36th will be eliminated, while those in positions 9 to 24 will enter a two-legged knockout playoff starting in February. The top eight clubs will automatically progress to the Round of 16 in March.
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From the Round of 16 through to the semifinals, each knockout round will consist of two matches.
Where will the final take place?
The Champions League final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, the same venue that hosted the final match in 2019 when Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0.
2026-27 Champions League schedule
Matchday 1: Sept. 8-10
Matchday 2: Oct. 13-14
Matchday 3: Oct. 20-21
Matchday 4: Nov. 3-4
Matchday 5: Nov. 24-25
Matchday 6: Dec. 8-9
Matchday 7: Jan. 19-20
Matchday 8: Jan. 27
Knockout phase playoffs: Feb. 16-17 and 23-24
Round of 16: March 9-10 and 16-17
Quarterfinals: April 6-7 and 13-14
Semifinals: April 27-28 and May 4-5
Final: June 5 (Madrid, Spain)
Fan Take: This Champions League draw is a significant moment for soccer enthusiasts, as it not only highlights the competitiveness of European football but also sets the stage for thrilling matchups. With the inclusion of top clubs, fans can anticipate an exciting tournament that showcases the best of the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
