CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2026/27: DRAW DATE, TEAMS, FORMAT, SCHEDULE, FINAL VENUE

By: Balogun Ibrahim

The draw for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase is fast approaching, with reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain set to begin their title defence as they target an unprecedented third consecutive European crown.

Luis Enrique’s side retained the trophy last season after defeating Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest. PSG had earlier produced a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2025 final.

The French champions are among 36 clubs competing for Europe’s biggest club prize, with qualifying already underway ahead of the league phase in September.

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Here is everything you need to know about the 2026/27 Champions League league-phase draw, participating teams, schedule and final.

When is the 2026/27 Champions League league-phase draw?

The draw for the 2026/27 Champions League league phase is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

The event will begin at 5pm BST (12pm ET, 9am PT and 6pm CEST) at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw is expected to be streamed across UEFA’s official digital platforms.

Which teams have qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League?

Most of the 36 league-phase places have already been confirmed following the conclusion of domestic competitions across Europe.

The remaining six spots will be decided through the Champions League qualifying play-offs in August.

England has the highest number of representatives with six clubs, while Spain has five. Germany, Italy and France each have four teams in the competition.

Manchester United are back in the Champions League, while Aston Villa return after winning the Europa League. Roma, Real Betis, Lille and Shakhtar Donetsk are also back after missing out in recent seasons.

Italian club Como, meanwhile, are set to make their historic debut in the Champions League.

Confirmed 2026/27 Champions League league-phase teams

England

• Liverpool
• Arsenal
• Manchester City
• Chelsea
• Manchester United
• Aston Villa

Spain

• Barcelona
• Real Madrid
• Atlético Madrid
• Real Betis
• Villarreal

Germany

• Bayern Munich
• RB Leipzig
• Stuttgart
• Borussia Dortmund

Italy

• Napoli
• Inter Milan
• Roma
• Como

France

• Paris Saint-Germain
• Lens
• Lille

Netherlands

• PSV Eindhoven
• Feyenoord

Portugal

• Sporting CP
• Porto

Türkiye

• Galatasaray

Czechia

• Slavia Prague

Belgium

• Club Brugge

Ukraine

• Shakhtar Donetsk

How will the Champions League league phase work?

The competition will retain its expanded 36-team league-phase format.

Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, facing two teams from each of the four seeding pots.

Every team will play four matches at home and four away.

At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams in the table will qualify automatically for the round of 16.

Teams finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two-legged knockout play-off, with the winners progressing to the last 16.

Clubs finishing between 25th and 36th will be eliminated from the competition.

From the play-off stage onward, the tournament will continue in the traditional knockout format.

When will the 2026/27 Champions League league phase begin?

The league phase is scheduled to commence on September 8, 2026, with Matchday 1 running until September 10.

The competition will then proceed through eight matchdays before the league phase concludes in January 2027.

Where will the 2027 Champions League final be played?

The 2027 Champions League final will be held at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.

The stadium previously hosted the 2019 final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, with Liverpool securing a 2-0 victory to win their sixth European Cup.

The 2027 final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, when the next European champions will be crowned.