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Champions League 2026-27 Draw Details and Format Explained

The draw for the Champions League 2026-27 season is set for 17:00 BST on Thursday, 27 August in Monaco. A total of 36 teams qualified and are organized into four pots according to their UEFA club coefficient rankings.

The procedure begins with pot one. Each team is drawn individually, after which UEFA's automated system selects eight opponents for them. Notable teams in pot one include Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.

Every team will play eight matches in the league phase, facing two clubs from each pot, with one game at home and one away. English clubs are restricted from facing other English sides during this phase. Additionally, no fixtures can involve teams from the same nation, and teams cannot play more than two matches against clubs from a single other country.

This draw process repeats until all fixtures for the 36 teams are set.

Europa League Draw Details

The Europa League draw follows on Friday, 28 August, starting at 12:00 BST. Like the Champions League, it features 36 teams divided into four pots. Each team receives eight fixtures based on the same selection rules as the Champions League.

The Europa League draw happens together with the Conference League draw, using a fully digital format instead of physical balls. UEFA calls this method smooth, efficient, and quick.

Conference League Draw Structure

The Conference League draw occurs immediately after the Europa League draw during the same event. Unlike the Champions and Europa Leagues, its league phase has only six rounds of matches.

The 36 clubs are split into six pots of six teams each. Every club is drawn to face one team from each pot.

Additional Information

  • When is the Champions League draw? Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST
  • When is the Europa League draw? Friday, 28 August at 12:00 BST
  • Number of games per team in Champions and Europa League phases: Eight
  • Number of games per team in Conference League phase: Six
  • Draw format for Europa and Conference Leagues: Fully digital, no physical balls

Known Pot One Teams in Champions League

  • Paris St-Germain
  • Bayern Munich
  • Real Madrid
  • Liverpool
  • Inter Milan
  • Manchester City
  • Arsenal
  • Barcelona
  • Atletico Madrid

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