The 2026/27 Champions League league phase draw takes place on Thursday, August 27, starting at 5pm BST, with the ceremony held in Monaco. The fixture dates and kick-off times are due to be confirmed by UEFA no later than August 29.
Format and stakes
Thirty-six clubs will discover their opponents in the new league phase format, with every team facing eight different clubs across four home and four away matches. The top eight sides in the league phase will progress directly to the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th will enter a knockout play-off round.
The reigning champions will be among the teams looking to begin their title defence, while Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Barcelona and Chelsea are all among the leading contenders. For supporters, the main attraction will be seeing which of Europe's biggest clubs are paired together, with the draw capable of producing mouth-watering meetings between the top sides.
How to follow the draw
The draw can be followed through UEFA's official Champions League platforms, including its live draw coverage and website. UEFA also provides live updates and information through its official app and social channels, while TNT Sports 1 will be showing the draw live.
Teams involved
The draw will feature 29 clubs that have already qualified automatically, plus seven winners from the Champions League play-off round. The final seven places will be decided by Wednesday, August 26.
The confirmed field includes Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, alongside Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen, Villarreal and Club Brugge. The remaining places will be filled by the winners of the play-off ties, meaning the final line-up will not be completely known until the qualification matches have finished.
With the league phase beginning in September, the draw will provide the first real look at how the road to the 2027 final could develop. The showpiece will take place at Madrid's Estadio Metropolitano on June 5, 2027.
