UEFA has scheduled the league-phase draws for the three club competitions at the end of August: the champions League draw on 27 August and the Europa League and Conference League draws on 28 August 2026. The decisions set the opponents for the new, 36-team league-phase format introduced in 2024/25 and define the match windows clubs and supporters must plan for in September and beyond.
- UEFA will hold the league-phase draws on 27 Aug (champions League) and 28 Aug (Europa and Conference League) 2026.
- All three competitions use a 36-team league phase: Champions League and Europa League play eight opponents; Conference League plays six.
- Top eight progress directly to the round of 16; teams 9–24 play knockout play-offs; 25th or lower are eliminated.
- AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland are reported among the clubs already qualified directly for the Europa League league phase.
- UEFA will publish Champions League schedules by 29 Aug and the other two competitions by 30 Aug; Europa League league phase starts around 16 Sep.
Key confirmed dates and where to watch
UEFA lists the draw dates and times as follows: the Champions League league-phase draw will take place on Thursday 27 August 2026 from 18:00 CEST, while the Europa League and Conference League league-phase draws are set for Friday 28 August 2026 from 13:00 CEST. UEFA will stream all three draws free on UEFA.com and UEFA.tv, according to the organisation.
What the league-phase format looks like
Since the 2024/25 season, each UEFA club competition uses a single league phase made up of 36 teams. The format details confirmed by UEFA include:
- Champions League and Europa League: each club plays eight different opponents (four home, four away).
- Conference League: each club plays six different opponents (three home, three away).
- After the league phase: the top eight clubs in each competition progress directly to the round of 16; clubs finishing 9th to 24th enter two-legged knockout play-offs for the remaining places in the last 16.
- Clubs finishing 25th or lower are eliminated from european competition for the season and do not drop into the other UEFA tournaments.
UEFA will publish the full match schedules and kick-off times shortly after the draws: the Champions League schedule is due “by Saturday 29 August” and Europa League and Conference League schedules “by Sunday 30 August,” per the organisation’s public guidance.
Competition calendars and early match windows
The competition timelines already reported for the Europa League 2026/27 provide context for the season ahead. The Europa League league phase runs from 16 September 2026 to 28 January 2027, with knockout play-offs scheduled for February and a final in late May 2027 in Frankfurt — these dates and locations are reported by media outlets summarising UEFA’s calendar.
Which English clubs are in the Europa League draw pot
Reporting compiled by sports outlets shows that three Premier League clubs have direct places in the Europa League league phase for 2026/27: AFC Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland. These names appear in season previews that list the 12 clubs that qualified directly for the Europa League’s 36-team league phase.
Why the draws matter to English clubs and supporters
For clubs: the draw sets the European travel and fixture load for the autumn and winter months. Playing in the Europa League or higher-tier Champions League impacts squad rotation, domestic scheduling and revenue — including matchday receipts and UEFA participation payments referenced in reporting on European prize money.
For supporters: draws determine which continental trips are required and when high-profile matches arrive at home. Media coverage and club ticketing pages will publish allocation rules and sales windows once opponents and kick-off dates are known; outlets emphasise that individual clubs sell match tickets and that official club membership tiers often determine early access to the best allocations.
Unresolved elements and what to expect after the draw
There are a few moving parts to watch:
- Final participant lists for each draw will be completed only after the conclusion of the late qualifying and play-off rounds; UEFA confirms 36 teams are included in each league-phase draw, but some places are filled by winners of the play-offs or sides transferring from Champions League qualifying.
- Exact kick-off times and the match-by-match schedule will follow the draws — UEFA says it will publish the Champions League schedule by 29 August and the other two competitions by 30 August.
Practical next steps for fans and clubs
- Fans who want tickets should monitor their club’s official ticket portal. Media coverage and club messaging note that initial allocations often require club membership and that re-sale markets become active for sold-out fixtures.
- Clubs should be ready to confirm travel logistics and squad selection plans quickly after the draw and after UEFA publishes match dates, because the Champions League league phase is due to start in early September and the Europa League in mid-September.
- For clubs that drop out of later qualifying rounds, the route into other UEFA competitions (for example from Champions League qualifying into the Europa League) will be clarified as qualifying completes and UEFA finalises the participant lists.
Quick timeline: August–September 2026
- 27 August 2026 — Champions League league-phase draw (18:00 CEST), Grimaldi Forum, Monaco (UEFA stated).
- 28 August 2026 — Europa League and Conference League league-phase draws (13:00 CEST), Monaco (UEFA stated).
- By 29 August 2026 — UEFA to publish Champions League match schedule and kick-off times (organisation guidance).
- By 30 August 2026 — UEFA to publish Europa League and Conference League match schedules and kick-off times (organisation guidance).
- 8 September 2026 — Champions League league phase begins (reported start window).
- 16 September 2026 — Europa League league phase begins (reported start window).
What this means for G3.Football readers in Britain
English supporters should expect Celtic, Rangers or other UK clubs to appear in the draws only when their qualification paths are confirmed; for Premier League clubs already placed in the Europa League — Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland — the draw will determine which fixtures shape their autumn calendars. Once the draws conclude, clubs and national associations will announce travel guidance and ticketing details; fans should rely on official club channels for verified ticket allocations and on UEFA for broadcast and streaming information.
“Die Auslosung der Ligaphase der UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League und UEFA Conference League findet am 27. und 28. August 2026 statt.”