The 2026-2027 Champions League kicks off on September 8, with group matches running through Wednesday, January 27, to determine the standings in a single league table. Before that, a draw is required to determine opponents (two from each pot; full details below). This will take place this Thursday, August 27, at 6:00 PM. Paris Saint-Germain is among the teams involved.
Broadcast details for the draw:
The draw can be watched live at 6:00 PM on main sport channels. We will also provide live text coverage on our website. Additionally, UEFA will stream the event.
As a reminder, one team from each pot will be placed in each group, subject to the rule that two clubs from the same country cannot be in the same group.
Qualified clubs in each pot:
Pot 1: PSG (FRA), Bayern Munich (ALL), Real Madrid (ESP), Liverpool (ANG), Inter Milan (ITA), Manchester City (ANG), Arsenal (ANG), FC Barcelona (ESP), Atlético de Madrid (ESP).
Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund (ALL), AS Roma (ITA), Sporting CP (POR), Aston Villa (ANG), FC Porto (POR), Manchester United (ANG), Club Brugge (BEL), Betis Sevilla (ESP), PSV Eindhoven (HOL).
Pot 3: Feyenoord (HOL), Lille (FRA), Bodö/Glimt (NOR), Napoli (ITA), RB Leipzig (ALL), Villarreal (ESP), Fenerbahçe (TUR), Shakhtior Donetsk (UKR), Galatasaray (TUR).
Pot 4: Slavia Prague (RTC), Slovan Bratislava (SLQ), VfB Stuttgart (GER), AEK Athens (GRE), Linz ASK (AUT), Como (ITA), Lens (FRA), Viking Stavanger (NOR), Sabah FC (AZE).
How the draw and league work:
(Source: UEFA website)
“Under the new format, teams will play eight matches in the new league phase (formerly the group stage). Instead of facing three opponents twice—home and away—they will play eight different teams, with half the matches played at home and the other half away.
To determine the eight opponents, teams will first be ranked into four pots. Each team will then be drawn to face two opponents from each of these pots, playing one match at home and one away against a team from each pot.”
Teams cannot face opponents from their own country during the league phase, nor can they play against more than two teams from the same domestic league.
Qualification based on the standings:
1st to 8th: qualification for the Round of 16.
9th to 24th: qualification for a two-legged knockout play-off round.
25th to 36th: elimination from all European competitions.
