2026/27 UEFA Champions League Schedule: Key Dates for Group Stage and Knockouts

The UEFA Champions League, Europe's premier club soccer tournament, will kick off its main group stage soon after the qualifying rounds conclude. A total of 36 teams have secured their spots to compete in this phase, aiming for one of 24 places in the knockout rounds.

Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off back-to-back titles, are chasing a rare three-peat—an achievement only three clubs have managed in the competition's history.

Start Date and Matchdays

The group stage action commences on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The opening matchweek will spread across three days—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—with subsequent games scheduled on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

The fixtures will be set during the draw on Thursday, August 27, where all matchups will be decided.

Group Stage Match Dates

• Matchweek 1: September 8-10, 2026
• Matchweek 2: October 13-14, 2026
• Matchweek 3: October 20-21, 2026
• Matchweek 4: November 3-4, 2026
• Matchweek 5: November 24-25, 2026
• Matchweek 6: December 8-9, 2026
• Matchweek 7: January 19-20, 2027
• Matchweek 8: January 27, 2027

Each team will play eight matches during this phase. All games fall on Tuesdays or Wednesdays except for some first-week fixtures that take place on a Thursday. The final matchweek is entirely on Wednesday, January 27, ensuring fairness with no team having an edge due to scheduling.

Knockout Stage Timeline

The knockout rounds begin with the playoff stage on February 16, 2027. The top eight teams from the group stage earn direct entry into the Round of 16, starting March 9, 2027.

Two draws will set the paths forward: the first on January 29, 2027, to organize the knockout playoff bracket, and the second on February 26, 2027, to determine the Round of 16 matchups.

Knockout Round Schedule

• Knockout Playoff Draw: January 29, 2027
• Knockout Playoff First Leg: February 16-17, 2027
• Knockout Playoff Second Leg: February 23-24, 2027
• Round of 16 Draw: February 26, 2027
• Round of 16 First Leg: March 9-10, 2027
• Round of 16 Second Leg: March 16-17, 2027
• Quarterfinals First Leg: April 6-7, 2027
• Quarterfinals Second Leg: April 13-14, 2027
• Semifinals First Leg: April 27-28, 2027
• Semifinals Second Leg: May 4-5, 2027

The Final Match

The climax of the tournament will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2027, at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, home to Atletico Madrid.