Champions League 2026/27: draw date, qualified teams, final venue

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

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Luis Enrique’s side successfully defended their crown last season, beating Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest after previously dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in the 2025 final.

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PSG are now among 36 clubs chasing European football’s biggest prize, with qualifying already underway ahead of the start of the league phase in September.

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

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

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

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It will begin at 5pm BST (12pm ET, 9am PT and 6pm CEST) and will take place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

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

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

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

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

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England leads the way with six clubs in the league phase, while Spain has five representatives. Germany, Italy and France have four clubs each.

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

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Italian side Como, meanwhile, are preparing for their first-ever appearance in the Champions League.

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Confirmed Champions League 2026/27 league-phase teams

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England

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

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

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• Bayern Munich
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• RB Leipzig
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• Stuttgart
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• Borussia Dortmund
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Italy

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• Napoli
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• Inter Milan
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• Roma
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• Como
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France

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• Paris Saint-Germain
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• Lens
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• Lille
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Netherlands

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• PSV Eindhoven
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• Feyenoord
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Portugal

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• Sporting CP
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• Porto
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Türkiye

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• Galatasaray
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Czechia

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• Slavia Prague
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Belgium

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• Club Brugge
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Ukraine

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• Shakhtar Donetsk
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How will the Champions League league phase work?

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The Champions League continues to use its expanded 36-team league-phase format.

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Every club will play eight matches during the league phase, facing two teams from each of the four seeding pots.

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Each club will play four matches at home and four away.

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Once the eight rounds of fixtures are completed, the top eight teams in the table will qualify automatically for the last 16.

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

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The teams finishing from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from the competition.

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From the play-off round onwards, the tournament will follow the traditional knockout format.

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When does the 2026/27 Champions League league phase start?

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

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

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The scheduled dates are:

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The fixture schedule includes an extended gap between the opening two matchdays because of the international calendar.

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Where will the 2027 Champions League final be played?

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The Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, will host the 2027 Champions League final.

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The stadium will stage the showpiece for the second time after previously hosting the 2019 final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Liverpool won that all-English final 2-0 to claim their sixth European Cup.

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

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