Everything You Need to Know About the 2026–27 Champions League Draw: Date, Format, and League Phase Explained

Paris Saint-Germain are chasing a third straight Champions League title in 2026–27, having become only the second club since the competition's rebranding to successfully defend the trophy.

Luis Enrique's side defeated Arsenal on penalties in last season's final in Budapest, after dismantling Inter Milan 5–0 in the 2025 showpiece.

Thirty-five clubs will attempt to end PSG's sudden dominance, and competition for the title promises to be intense. Qualifying is already in motion, and it won't be long before attention turns to the Champions League's opening matchday in September.

Here is everything you need to know about the draw for the 2026–27 league phase.

When Is the League Phase Draw for the 2026–27 Champions League?

The 2026–27 Champions League league phase draw is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET, 9 a.m. PT, 6 p.m. CEST).

The draw will be conducted at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, and has previously been streamed live on UEFA's official website and YouTube channel.

Which Clubs Have Qualified for the 2026–27 League Phase?

The majority of the 36 teams taking part in the league phase secured their spots at the conclusion of the 2025–26 season through domestic league finishes.

However, the remaining six places will be decided via the playoffs, which are held in August.

England is once again the best-represented nation, with six Premier League sides qualifying for the league phase. Spain has five, while Germany, Italy and France each contribute four clubs.

Manchester United, Europa League champions Aston Villa, Roma, Real Betis, Lille and Shakhtar Donetsk are among the sides making a return to the prestigious competition after an absence, while rising Italian outfit Como are making their Champions League debut.

Confirmed 2026–27 League Phase Qualifiers

How Does the League Phase Work?

Each side will play eight matches during the league phase, with all 36 clubs divided into four separate pots. Every team will face two different opponents from each pot, playing one fixture at home and one away.

Once all league phase fixtures are completed, the top eight sides advance directly to the last 16, while teams finishing ninth through 24th enter a two-legged playoff round to compete for the remaining spots.

From the knockout playoff round onward, the competition follows a standard knockout format.

When Does the 2026–27 League Phase Begin?

The league phase kicks off a week earlier than the previous edition, with Matchday 1 running from Sept. 8–10. A month-long gap separates Matchdays 1 and 2, partly due to an extended international break, before a more regular schedule resumes.

The league phase spans eight gameweeks, wrapping up with two rounds of fixtures in the new year. Matchday 8 is set for Jan. 27, 2027.

When Is the 2026–27 Champions League Final?

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The Estadio Metropolitano will stage its second Champions League final on June 5, 2027.

Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur played out a forgettable encounter when they clashed in the Spanish capital in 2019, bringing the curtain down on what had been one of the most extraordinary Champions League campaigns in the tournament's history.