The road to European glory is set to begin as the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco hosts the league-phase draw for the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League. The ceremony will determine the opponents for 36 clubs competing under the competition’s expanded format, which replaced the traditional group stage with one unified league table.
Paris Saint-Germain enter the competition among the leading contenders after winning the previous two editions. The French champions will now attempt to become only the fourth club to win the European Cup or Champions League three seasons in a row. Real Madrid were the last team to achieve that feat, completing their run in 2018.
The draw divides the 36 clubs into four pots of nine teams based on UEFA coefficient rankings. Each club will receive eight different opponents—two from every pot—with four matches played at home and four away. Teams from the same national association cannot meet during the league phase.
The field includes many of Europe’s biggest clubs, including PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid. Aston Villa and Manchester United will represent England alongside the other Premier League qualifiers.
The first league-phase matches will be played between 8 and 10 September 2026. The schedule will then continue through seven further matchdays before the final round on 27 January 2027, when all 36 teams are scheduled to play simultaneously.
The new format places immediate importance on every result. Teams finishing from first to eighth will advance directly to the round of 16, while those placed ninth to 24th will enter a knockout play-off. Clubs finishing from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from European competition.
Because every team must face opponents from all four pots, difficult fixtures are guaranteed from the beginning. The strongest clubs could meet one another before the knockout rounds, while teams from the lower pots will be seeking valuable points against Europe’s elite.
The draw will therefore shape the opening phase of the competition and provide each contender with a clear route toward the knockout rounds. With the campaign stretching into January, squad depth, consistency and the ability to handle eight demanding European matches will be crucial.
The Champions League final will take place in Madrid, giving the tournament an additional storyline as clubs begin their pursuit of European football’s biggest prize.
