The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw is set to take place today, determining the fixtures for the competition's expanded 36-team format. The draw will shape the path to the knockout stages for Europe's elite clubs.
New Format and Draw Procedure
Under the revamped structure, each team will face eight different opponents in the league phase, playing four matches at home and four away. The draw uses a seeding system based on club coefficients, with teams divided into four pots.
Software will randomly select opponents for each club, ensuring no team faces more than two sides from the same country. The draw will be conducted in stages, with each pot's teams allocated their eight fixtures one by one.
Key Details and Timing
The ceremony is scheduled to begin in the afternoon at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Broadcast coverage will start shortly before the official proceedings, with the draw itself expected to last around 35 minutes.
Clubs will learn their opponents immediately after the draw, with match dates and kick-off times confirmed in the following days. The league phase is scheduled to run from mid-September to late January, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16.
Impact on Clubs
The draw will significantly influence each club's season, with tougher matchups potentially affecting domestic and European ambitions. Teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a knockout play-off round, while those below 24th are eliminated from the competition.
Reaction from managers and club officials is expected throughout the day, with the draw's outcome shaping early-season planning and fan expectations across the continent.
