The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is gradually taking shape, with the league phase draw now drawing closer and 36 clubs set to compete for European football’s biggest prize.
Paris Saint Germain will enter the competition as defending champions after retaining the trophy last season. Luis Enrique’s side defeated Arsenal on penalties in the final in Budapest after their impressive 5 0 victory over Inter Milan in the 2025 final.
The qualifying rounds are already underway, with the remaining places in the league phase expected to be decided through the August play offs ahead of the competition’s main stage in September.
Here is what to know about the league phase draw, the teams involved, the competition format and the venue for the 2027 final.
When is the Champions League 2026/27 draw?
The draw for the league phase is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The ceremony is expected to begin at 5pm BST, which is 12pm ET, 9am PT and 6pm CEST.
The draw is also expected to be available through UEFA’s official digital platforms.
Which teams have qualified?
Most of the 36 league phase places have already been secured following the completion of domestic competitions across Europe.
Six remaining spots will be decided through the Champions League qualifying play offs in August.
England currently has the highest number of confirmed representatives with six clubs, followed by Spain with five. Germany, Italy and France have four representatives each.
Manchester United are returning to the competition, while Aston Villa are also back after winning the Europa League. Roma, Real Betis, Lille and Shakhtar Donetsk are among the other clubs returning to Europe’s top competition.
Italian club Como are set to make their first appearance in the Champions League.
Confirmed league phase teams
England
Liverpool
Arsenal
Manchester City
Chelsea
Manchester United
Aston Villa
Spain
Barcelona
Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
Real Betis
Villarreal
Germany
Bayern Munich
RB Leipzig
Stuttgart
Borussia Dortmund
Italy
Napoli
Inter Milan
Roma
Como
France
Paris Saint Germain
Lens
Lille
Netherlands
PSV Eindhoven
Feyenoord
Portugal
Sporting CP
Porto
Türkiye
Galatasaray
Czechia
Slavia Prague
Belgium
Club Brugge
Ukraine
Shakhtar Donetsk
How will the league phase work?
The Champions League will continue with its expanded 36 team league phase format.
Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, facing two teams from each of the four seeding pots. Every team will have four home matches and four away fixtures.
At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams in the standings will qualify directly for the round of 16.
Clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two legged knockout play off. The winners of those ties will join the top eight in the last 16.
Teams finishing between 25th and 36th will be eliminated from the competition.
From the knockout play off stage onward, the Champions League will continue with its traditional knockout format.
When does the league phase begin?
The 2026/27 league phase is scheduled to begin on September 8, 2026, with the opening matchday running until September 10.
The competition will continue across eight matchdays, with the league phase expected to conclude in January 2027.
The opening schedule includes an extended break between the first two matchdays because of the international calendar.
Where will the 2027 Champions League final be played?
The 2027 Champions League final will be held at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
The stadium will host the European showpiece for the second time, having previously staged the 2019 final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool won that all English final 2 0 to secure their sixth European Cup.
The 2027 final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, when the next Champions League winners will be crowned.
