The road to Champions League glory starts today.
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw takes place in Monaco, with 36 clubs preparing to discover the eight opponents standing between them and a place in the knockout rounds.
Back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain are chasing an incredible third successive European crown, Arsenal will look to go one better after reaching last season’s final, while some of Europe’s biggest clubs are back for another shot at the trophy.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of today’s draw.
When is the Champions League Draw?
The Champions League league phase draw takes place today, Thursday 27 August, at 17:00 in Monaco.
All 36 qualified teams have been divided into four pots, with the draw determining their eight league-phase opponents.
Five Premier League Clubs Await Their Fate
There will once again be a major English presence in the Champions League, with five Premier League clubs involved.
Champions Arsenal are joined by Manchester City and Liverpool in Pot 1, while Manchester United return to the competition after a two-year absence and enter from Pot 2.
Europa League winners Aston Villa complete the English contingent.
For Arsenal, attention quickly turns back to Europe after coming agonisingly close last season. Mikel Arteta’s side reached the final before losing to PSG and will hope another deep run can end with the trophy this time around.
Champions League Draw Pots
Pot 1
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Liverpool
- Inter Milan
- Manchester City
- Arsenal
- Barcelona
- Atlético Madrid
Pot 2
- Borussia Dortmund
- Roma
- Sporting CP
- Aston Villa
- Porto
- Manchester United
- Club Brugge
- Real Betis
- PSV Eindhoven
Pot 3
- Feyenoord
- Lille
- Bodo/Glimt
- Napoli
- RB Leipzig
- Villarreal
- Fenerbahçe
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Galatasaray
Pot 4
- Slavia Prague
- Slovan Bratislava
- Stuttgart
- AEK Athens
- LASK
- Como
- Lens
- Viking
- Sabah
How Does the Champions League Draw Work?
The Champions League retains the 36-team league phase, meaning there are no traditional four-team groups.
Instead, every club will be given eight different opponents and play eight matches — four at home and four away.
Each club will face two teams from every pot, including its own. One of those games will be at home and the other away.
Clubs cannot be drawn against another team from their own country during the league phase.
That means Arsenal, for example, cannot face Liverpool or Manchester City despite all three being in Pot 1. However, the Gunners could be handed huge clashes against the likes of PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
Some Huge Fixtures Await
There are potential blockbusters everywhere you look.
Pot 1 alone contains PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Inter and Atlético Madrid.
The lower pots offer plenty of danger too.
Manchester United, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Roma are among the Pot 2 names, while Napoli, RB Leipzig, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe could provide difficult assignments from Pot 3.
Pot 4 also contains some fascinating newcomers. Cesc Fàbregas’ Como are involved, while Norwegian side Viking and Azerbaijan’s Sabah will make their debuts in the competition proper.
Who Qualifies for the Champions League Knockouts?
Once every club has completed its eight matches, all 36 teams will be ranked together in one league table.
The top eight qualify automatically for the Round of 16, while teams finishing from ninth to 24th enter the knockout phase playoffs.
Finish 25th or lower and the European campaign is over.
With only eight matches to secure a place in the next stage, today’s draw could have a major impact on each club’s route through the competition.
When Does the Champions League Start?
There isn’t long to wait once today’s draw is complete.
The opening Champions League league-phase fixtures will take place from 8-10 September, beginning eight matchdays stretching through to January.
The full league-phase schedule is:
Matchday 1: 8-10 September 2026
Matchday 2: 13-14 October 2026
Matchday 3: 20-21 October 2026
Matchday 4: 3-4 November 2026
Matchday 5: 24-25 November 2026
Matchday 6: 8-9 December 2026
Matchday 7: 19-20 January 2027
Matchday 8: 27 January 2027
