The draw for the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, setting the stage for the tournament’s opening matchdays scheduled between September 8 and 10. This season marks the 72nd edition of Europe’s premier club competition, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain entering the fray aiming to secure an unprecedented third consecutive title. Their pursuit would place them alongside Real Madrid, the only team to have accomplished such a streak in the Champions League era (2016-2018).
Entering its third season under the revamped competition format, the tournament has shifted away from the traditional group stage to a more expansive 36-team league-style system. This format intensifies the number of matches and raises the level of competition, promising an even more thrilling experience for fans across the continent.
Teams and Qualification Details
The pot for the upcoming draw will feature 29 clubs that secured direct qualification, alongside seven teams advancing through the preliminary rounds. These playoffs, concluding on August 25 and 26, will finalize the full roster for the league phase.
The lineup boasts several storied clubs with rich Champions League pedigrees, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Manchester United. Notably, Arsenal, last season’s runners-up, are among the five English Premier League representatives set to compete.
Making a historic appearance, Azerbaijani side Sabah Futbol Klubu will participate in the Champions League for the first time. Their journey to the tournament proper involved navigating three qualifying rounds and overcoming Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the decisive playoff stage.