Alex MacQuoid
European football’s most prestigious competition returns to centre stage this week as UEFA prepares to unveil the 2025/26 Champions League league phase draw. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 28 at 18:00 CET in Monaco, streamed live via UEFA.com and its official channels.
How the Draw Works
This is the second season under the new league format. All 36 qualified clubs will be split into four pots of nine, seeded according to their UEFA coefficient ranking. The defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain, headline Pot 1.
Each team will be drawn against eight opponents – two from each pot, with one match home and one away per pot. No team can face more than two clubs from the same national association, and domestic rivals won’t clash in this phase.
The draw begins with one physical ball draw per team, followed by UEFA’s automated software system generating the opponent list. Fixture details (dates and kick-off times) will be released no later than Saturday, August 30.
Confirmed Teams for 2025/26
Here are the 36 clubs that will play in the League Phase.
- England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham
- Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
- Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
- Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund
- France: PSG, Marseille, Monaco
- Netherlands: PSV, Ajax
- Portugal: Sporting CP, Benfica
- Czechia: Slavia Prague
- Greece: Olympiacos
- Turkey: Galatasaray
- Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge
- Cyprus: Pafos
- Kazakhstan: Kairat Almaty
- Azerbaijan: Qarabağ
- Denmark: Copenhagen
- Norway: Bodø/Glimt
Union Saint-Gilloise make their debut in the league phase, while it’s the first time since 2005/06 that no Ukrainian club features at this stage.
Also read: Champions League Draw Simulator: How It Works and What to Expect in 2025/26
League Phase Format
The traditional group stage is gone. Now, all 36 teams compete in one large league table, each playing eight matches. The breakdown is simple:
- Top 8 teams advance directly to the Round of 16.
- 9th–24th place teams enter a two-legged knockout play-off.
- 25th and below: Eliminated from Europe entirely.
Matchdays run from September 16 to January 28, setting the stage for knockout rounds in February and March.
League Phase Match Schedule
- Matchday 1: Sept 16–18, 2025
- Matchday 2: Sept 30–Oct 1, 2025
- Matchday 3: Oct 21–22, 2025
- Matchday 4: Nov 4–5, 2025
- Matchday 5: Nov 25–26, 2025
- Matchday 6: Dec 9–10, 2025
- Matchday 7: Jan 20–21, 2026
- Matchday 8: Jan 28, 2026
Knockout Phase & Final
Play-off draw: January 30, 2026
Round of 16 draw: February 27, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary
Spotlight on UEFA’s Innovation
UEFA continues to refine its draw process with AE Live’s automated system – already tested with over 1 million simulations – ensuring randomness, fairness, and compliance with draw rules. The process is monitored by Ernst & Young for full integrity.
Europa League & Conference League Draws
On Friday, August 29 at 13:00 CET, UEFA will host a combined draw for both the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League. Both competitions use the same software but opt for a single-button reveal method – revealing all matchups instantly in a fully digital process.
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League draw is more than just a procedural event—it’s the ignition point for a season of tactical battles, fierce rivalries, and potential footballing miracles. With PSG carrying the target as defending champions and Premier League sides pushing hard, every draw matters.
From Monaco to Budapest, the journey starts now. Follow the draws live, mark your calendars, and stay locked in for what promises to be another unforgettable Champions League campaign.