2026–27 Champions League Draw Revealed: Every League Phase Clash Unveiled

Thursday's Champions League draw in Monaco delivered a thrilling collection of matchups that has set pulses racing across Europe.

Manchester United made their long-awaited return to Europe's premier club competition for the first time since the tournament's overhaul, having secured a third-place Premier League finish under Michael Carrick last season. The Red Devils were handed blockbuster clashes against the likes of Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

Consecutive champions Paris Saint-Germain have endured sluggish openings to both title-winning campaigns in recent years. Luis Enrique's outfit notably fell outside the top eight in each of the last two editions, and automatic qualification for the round of 16 could prove elusive once again after being paired with Barcelona and Manchester City.

Arsenal, who were heartbreakingly eliminated by PSG on penalties last May, posted a flawless league phase record in 2025–26. The Gunners have now won all 12 of their previous matches at this stage, a remarkable run that Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will be eager to bring to an end.

Record Champions League winners Real Madrid will not be facing Manchester City in the league phase this time around. Instead, they face the Gunners alongside Serie A pair Inter and Roma.

Some of the most compelling fixtures feature Cesc Fàbregas's Como. The ex-Barcelona midfielder is set to make a sentimental return to Camp Nou during the league phase, while the Serie A newcomers also welcome Manchester United and PSG to their ground.

Pot 1 Teams

Pot 2 Teams

Manchester United are back on the big stage. pic.twitter.com/hzTUmo7q2y

Pot 3 Teams

Pot 4 Teams

Como touch the stars. The lake will host Champions League football next season. pic.twitter.com/tnIcw36fQR

When Does the 2026–27 Champions League League Phase Start?

The wait for the action to begin is a short one. Following established tradition, the Champions League will commandeer an entire midweek to launch the league phase, with the opening round of 18 games spread across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the second week of September.

Subsequent rounds are distributed across October, November and December before the competition enters an extended winter break at the start of the new year. Unlike the old group stage format, which typically wrapped up before Christmas, two further rounds of league phase fixtures remain to be contested in January.

To prevent any form of tactical collusion, all 36 clubs will kick off simultaneously on the eighth and final matchday on January 27, 2027.

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