Champions League 2026/27 Draw: Timing, Seedings, and Live Viewing Options
As the 2026/27 domestic football seasons get underway across Europe, attention turns to the upcoming Champions League campaign. The continent's top clubs are gearing up for Europe's most prestigious club competition.
Paris Saint-Germain, the defending champions, aim to secure a rare third consecutive title. Many elite teams, including PSG, have already qualified, while others battled through qualifiers for the remaining spots.
If PSG is to achieve this historic treble, they will face strong contenders like José Mourinho's Real Madrid, eager to end their trophy drought. Arsenal, after finishing runners-up last season and strengthening their squad over the summer, believe they are better positioned than ever to claim their first Champions League crown. The tournament promises fierce competition.
Draw Date, Time, and Location
- Date: August 27, 2026
- Time: 5pm BST / 12 noon ET
- Venue: Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
The official draw for the Champions League 'League Phase' will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday, August 27 at 5pm BST. Host Reshmin Chowdhury returns, supported by UEFA deputy secretary general Giorgio Marchetti and journalist Pedro Pinto. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin will address attendees during the event.
Seeding Pots for the Draw
A total of 36 teams will be divided into four pots based on their five-year UEFA club coefficients. The reigning champions, PSG, automatically occupy Pot 1. Each team will face two opponents from each pot but cannot meet clubs from their own country in the league phase.
- Pot 1: Paris Saint-Germain (France), Bayern Munich (Germany), Real Madrid (Spain), Liverpool (England), Inter Milan (Italy), Manchester City (England), Arsenal (England), Barcelona (Spain), Atlético Madrid (Spain)
- Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Roma (Italy), Sporting (Portugal), Aston Villa (England), Porto (Portugal), Manchester United (England), Club Brugge (Belgium), Real Betis (Spain), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Pot 3: Feyenoord (Netherlands), Lille (France), Bodo/Glimt (Norway), Napoli (Italy), RB Leipzig (Germany), Villarreal (Spain), Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Galatasaray (Turkey), Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
- Pot 4: Slavia Prague (Czech Republic), VfB Stuttgart (Germany), LASK (Austria), Como (Italy), Lens (France), Sabah (Azerbaijan), Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia), AEK Athens (Greece), Viking (Norway)
Noteworthy newcomers include Como, managed by Cesc Fàbregas, making their debut in Pot 4.
Draw Procedure Explained
Teams from Pot 1 will be drawn against two opponents from each of the other pots, playing one match at home and one away. The same process repeats for teams in Pots 2, 3, and 4.
Clubs from the same national league cannot face each other in this stage. For example, Real Madrid cannot play against Real Betis yet. Also, no team may be drawn against more than two sides from a single country.
A new UEFA rule prevents the same fixture being hosted by the same home team for three seasons in a row. So if Arsenal and Inter Milan meet again, the venue must change if they've hosted twice consecutively before.
How to Watch the Champions League Draw Live
The draw will be broadcast live across various platforms worldwide.
- United Kingdom: TNT Sports, HBO Max, and streaming via TNT Sports YouTube channel
- United States: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
- Ireland: Premier Sports Ireland
- Australia: Stan Sport
- International: Free stream available on UEFA.com
Broadcast Channels by Country
- UK: TNT Sports, HBO Max
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
- Ireland: Premier Sports Ireland
- Australia: Stan Sport
- International: UEFA.com
