Champions League 2026-27 Draw: Date and Format Explained
The draw for the Champions League will be held at 17:00 BST on Thursday, 27 August in Monaco. A total of 36 teams have qualified and are divided into four pots according to their UEFA club coefficient rankings.
The process begins with pot one, where each team is drawn individually. Afterward, UEFA's automated system selects eight opponents for each team.
- Pot One Teams: Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid
Each team will play eight matches overall, facing two teams from every pot—one at home and one away. English clubs cannot face each other during the league phase. Additionally, no fixtures will pair teams from the same country or exceed two matches against clubs from another nation.
This procedure continues until all fixtures for the 36 teams are finalized.
Europa League Draw Information
The Europa League draw happens the following day at 12:00 BST on Friday, 28 August. Like the Champions League, 36 teams are split into four pots, each assigned eight matches following the same fixture rules.
The Europa League and Conference League draws occur in a joint ceremony, and unlike the Champions League, they use a fully digital method without physical balls. UEFA says this ensures a smooth and efficient draw process.
Conference League Draw Setup
The Conference League draw takes place right after the Europa League draw during the same event. This competition features only six rounds of league fixtures instead of eight.
- 36 clubs are split into six pots of six teams each.
- Every team faces one opponent from each pot.
This summary comes from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team, who regularly answer questions about European football competitions.
Additional Information
- Who qualified for the Champions League league phase?
- When does the summer transfer window close?
- What changes are there in Fantasy Premier League for 2026-27?
- How do add-ons function in football transfers?
