Champions League Draw Set for Thursday in Monaco
The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League returns next month, with the league phase draw scheduled to take place in Monaco this Thursday. This event will determine the fixtures for the 2026/27 season, as each of the 36 participating teams finds out their eight league phase matches.
In a thrilling conclusion to last season, PSG clinched the title on penalties against Arsenal in Budapest. As the new season approaches, teams are eager to learn their opponents, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool representing the English teams. Additionally, Celtic aims to join them by winning their play-off tie against LASK, having secured a strong 3-0 victory in the first leg.
Prominent teams in pot one of the draw include PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.
When Does the Champions League Draw Take Place?
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw is set to begin at 5pm BST (12pm ET) on Thursday, August 27. This draw will outline the eight matches for each team, with each competitor facing two teams from pots one, two, three, and four. Matches will be split evenly between home and away contests.
Where Can You Watch the Draw?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can catch the draw live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max, enhancing the UK’s broadcasting options for the Champions League alongside Prime Video.
Teams Competing in Each Pot
Pot 1:
- PSG
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Inter Milan
- Barcelona
- Atletico Madrid
Pot 2:
- [Additional teams will be listed here]
Pot 3:
- [Additional teams will be listed here]
- Winner of Fenerbahce vs Lyon
Pot 3 or 4:
- Winner of NEC Nijmegen vs Bodo/Glimt
- Winner of Dinamo Zagreb vs Viking
Pot 4:
- Winner of Slovan Bratislava vs Celje
- Winner of Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens
- Winner of Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Sabah
Who Qualifies for the Knockout Round?
The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically secure their spots in the last-16, while those finishing in ninth to 24th places will enter the knockout-phase play-off. Teams ranked between ninth and 16th will be seeded for this phase and will host the second leg of their matches. Notably, teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated from the tournament without dropping into the Europa League.
Champions League Schedule
- Matchday 1: September 8-10
- Matchday 2: October 13/14
- Matchday 3: October 20/21
- Matchday 4: November 3/4
- Matchday 5: November 24/25
- Matchday 6: December 8/9
- Matchday 7: January 19/20
- Matchday 8: January 27
- Knockout phase play-offs: February 16/17 and 23/24
- Round of 16: March 9/10 and 16/17
- Quarter-finals: April 6/7 and 13/14
- Semi-finals: April 27/28 and May 4/5
- Final: June 5 at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid
The Champions League returns next month, and this Thursday sees the league phase draw confirmed with a ceremony in Monaco.
Three months on from PSG retaining their title on penalties against Arsenal in Budapest, this season’s competition takes shape, as each of the 36 teams discovers their eight league phase matches.
Advertisement
Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are the English teams involved, with Celtic hoping to make it six British teams by winning their play-off tie against LASK. They won the first leg 3-0.
Other big-hitters in pot one include PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Champions League league phase draw.
When is the Champions League league phase draw?
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw starts at 5pm BST (12pm ET) on Thursday, 27 August.
The draw will arrange the eight matches each team contests in the 36-team first phase – facing two teams from pots one, two, three and four. Half of the matches will be at home, the other half away.
Advertisement
Where can I watch the draw?
The draw will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max in the United Kingdom, the joint host broadcasters in the UK of the Champions League alongside Prime Video.
Which teams are in what pots?
Pot 1
Pot 2
Pot 3
-
Winner of Fenerbahce vs Lyon
Pot 3 or 4
-
Winner of NEC Nijmegen vs Bodo/Glimt
-
Winner of Dinamo Zagreb vs Viking
Pot 4
-
Winner of Slovan Bratislava vs Celje
-
Winner of Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens
-
Winner of Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs Sabah
Who qualifies for the knockout round?
The top eight all automatically qualify for the last-16, while teams positioned ninth to 24th place qualify for the knockout-phase play-off. Teams finishing between ninth and 16th will be seeded and will host the second leg.
Teams who finish the league phase 25th or lower are out and do not drop into the Europa League.
PSG are targeting a third consecutive Champions League title (AP)
Champions League dates and schedule
Matchday 1: September 8-10
Advertisement
Matchday 2: October 13/14
Matchday 3: October 20/21
Matchday 4: November 3/4
Matchday 5: November 24/25
Matchday 6: December 8/9
Matchday 7: January 19/20
Matchday 8: January 27
Knockout phase play-offs: February 16/17 and 23/24
Round of 16: March 9/10 and 16/17
Quarter-finals: April 6/7 and 13/14
Semi-finals: April 27/28 and May 4/5
Final: June 5 (Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid)
[/gpt3]