UEFA will hold the league‑phase draw for the 2026/27 UEFA champions League on Thursday 27 August 2026 at its headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the governing body has confirmed. The ceremony sets the 36‑team league phase schedule that leads into the February play‑offs and the knockout rounds before the final in Madrid on 5 June 2027.
- UEFA will hold the 2026/27 Champions League league‑phase draw on 27 August 2026 in Nyon.
- 29 teams have already qualified for the league phase; seven places will be decided through July–August qualifying.
- League‑phase matchdays run from 8–10 September 2026 to 27 January 2027; the final is on 5 June 2027 at Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano.
Confirmed when and where — and what it decides
The league‑phase draw is scheduled for 27 August 2026 in Nyon. UEFA uses this draw to place the 36 teams into pots for the new league‑phase format: each side will play eight matches (four home and four away) across eight matchdays. After those fixtures, the top eight in the overall table qualify directly for the round of 16; clubs placed ninth to 24th enter a knockout play‑off to reach the last 16.
Timing and how to watch in the UK
UEFA lists 27 August as the draw date; clubs including Manchester City have set out the same date in their official communications. UEFA typically stages these draws in the afternoon Central European Time at its Nyon headquarters and they are widely streamed live on UEFA’s official channels and partner broadcasters. Broadcasters and streaming rights vary by territory; UK viewers should check live coverage information from UEFA, the BBC, ITV or subscription services that hold UEFA rights closer to the date for the exact UK start time and platform details.
Who’s already through to the league phase
UEFA and multiple clubs confirm that 29 teams have already secured places in the 36‑team league phase by virtue of last season’s domestic finishes; the final seven places will be filled through qualifying and play‑offs in July and August. Lists published by UEFA and by clubs show the following teams already qualified (grouped by nation):
- England: Aston Villa, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool
- Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Real Betis
- Italy: Inter, Napoli, Roma, Como
- Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Stuttgart
- France: Paris Saint‑Germain, Lens, Lille
- Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
- Portugal: Porto, Sporting CP
- Belgium: Club Brugge
- Czechia: Slavia Prague
- Turkey: Galatasaray
- Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
Those 29 confirmed places leave seven slots to be decided in qualifying (first qualifying ties begin in July, with play‑offs in mid/late August). Club and UEFA communications both list the same qualified teams above; final composition will only be complete after the qualifying rounds.
Key dates through to the final
UEFA has published the competition calendar for 2026/27. Important dates for clubs and fans to note are:
- Qualifying rounds and play‑offs: early July to late August 2026 (including play‑offs 18/19 and 25/26 August 2026)
- League‑phase matchdays: Matchday 1 on 8–10 September 2026 through Matchday 8 on 27 January 2027
- Knockout play‑offs: 16/17 & 23/24 February 2027
- Round of 16: 9/10 & 16/17 March 2027; Quarter‑finals: 6/7 & 13/14 April 2027
- Semi‑finals: 27/28 April & 4/5 May 2027
- Final: Saturday 5 June 2027 at the Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid
UEFA’s calendar confirms the Metropolitano will host the final on 5 June 2027. Dates are published by UEFA but are noted as subject to change in official materials.
How the league‑phase draw will work
The 36 teams are allocated into four pots of nine ahead of the draw based on UEFA’s access list and club coefficients; teams are then drawn to create the league‑phase schedule so each club has two opponents from each pot, playing four home and four away matches. The format means every club faces eight different opponents in the league phase rather than a traditional group format.
Practical implications for clubs and supporters
For clubs the draw sets travel and fixture planning for the autumn and winter months. For fans — especially those following English sides — the draw will define which midweek fixtures could affect domestic schedules and away‑travel arrangements. Supporters should wait for the full draw before making travel plans and consult their club’s ticketing and travel updates once fixtures are confirmed.
Notes and sources
This article is based on UEFA’s official competition information and club communications published ahead of the 2026/27 season. UEFA confirms the draw date and the competition calendar; clubs such as Manchester City have repeated the 27 August 2026 draw date in their official material. Broadcasters’ precise UK start times and distribution details are not yet published and will be confirmed closer to the draw by rights holders.