The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League League Phase draw takes place today, Thursday, August 27, with Manchester United and Manchester City learning their group-stage opponents. The ceremony begins at 5pm UK time, which corresponds to 6pm CET at the venue.
Free streaming and TV options
Viewers without a paid television subscription can watch the draw for free on YouTube. UEFA is also providing a broadcast through its own digital platforms at no extra cost, making the event viewable on UEFA.com and the official UEFA Champions League mobile app.
UK audiences can find standard television coverage on TNT Sports 1, with the broadcast starting at 5pm to match the proceedings. The event will also be available on the HBO Max app.
United's recent European record
Manchester United's recent Champions League history has been marked by inconsistent qualification and early exits. The club failed to advance past the group stage in both the 2020/21 and 2023/24 campaigns, finishing at the bottom of their group in the latter. Their best recent performance came in the 2021/22 season, when they reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Atletico Madrid. This marks the club's first return to Europe's premier competition in three years.
City's consistent deep runs
Manchester City have consistently reached the latter stages of the Champions League over the same period, maintaining an uninterrupted presence in the knockout rounds. They secured their first Champions League title in the 2022/23 season by defeating Inter Milan in the final. Prior to that, they were runners-up in the 2020/21 season and reached the semi-finals in 2021/22. Their recent deep tournament runs have frequently ended against Real Madrid, who eliminated them in the 2021/22 semi-finals, the 2023/24 quarter-finals on penalties, and the 2025/26 round of 16.
TNT Sports broadcasts select Premier League fixtures throughout the 2026/27 season, and fans can stream each one on HBO Max and the TNT Sports Prime Video channel. A monthly subscription also includes select Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup games.
