UEFA Champions League 2025-26 draw set for Aug. 28 in Monaco as Premier League clubs push into six-team representation
The 2025-26 edition of Europe’s premier club competition moves into a new era, with the draw to determine the first group-stage matchups taking place on Thursday, Aug. 28 in Monaco. The event will set the stage for PSG’s title bid after their first European crown, while Real Madrid—who own a record 15 titles—are aiming to reclaim the trophy after last season’s quarterfinal exit. Notably, the tournament will feature six teams from a single league for the first time, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all representing the English Premier League.
What to know about the draw
When is the draw?
– Thursday, Aug. 28, at 12 p.m. ET.
How does the draw work?
– 36 teams will enter the league stage, each drawing eight opponents (four home, four away).
– Teams are placed into four pots based on UEFA rankings and cannot be drawn against a club from their own country. No team can face more than two opponents from any other country.
– The format ensures a wide balance of clubs from across Europe and prevents domestic matchups in the early rounds.
Champions League format
– All 36 clubs compete in a single league table, with fixtures scheduled on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays through January.
– The top eight teams earn direct passage to the round of 16.
– Teams finishing ninth through 24th enter a knockout round playoff in February to determine the remaining eight round-of-16 entrants.
– After the playoff, the last 16 are drawn, with the top eight finishers seeded to determine the bracket.
Champions League schedule
League phase
– Matchday 1: Sept. 16-18
– Matchday 2: Sept. 30-Oct. 1
– Matchday 3: Oct. 21-22
– Matchday 4: Nov. 4-5
– Matchday 5: Nov. 25-26
– Matchday 6: Dec. 9-10
– Matchday 7: Jan. 20-21, 2026
– Matchday 8: Jan. 28, 2026
Knockout stage
– Knockout round playoffs first leg: Feb. 17-18
– Knockout round playoffs second leg: Feb. 24-25
– Round of 16 first legs: March 10-11
– Round of 16 second legs: March 17-18
– Quarterfinals first legs: Apr. 7-8
– Quarterfinals second legs: Apr. 14-15
– Semifinals first legs: Apr. 28-29
– Semifinals second legs: May 5-6
– Final: May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary
Why this matters
– PSG head into the campaign with momentum after their first major European title, while Real Madrid will be chasing a return to the pinnacle after last season’s early exit.
– The landmark six-team representation from one league underscores the Premier League’s strength and depth, promising high-profile clashes from the group stage onward.
– The new format maintains a balance between qualifying drama and a clean path to the knockout rounds, keeping the competition intensely competitive across the continent.
Summary
– The 2025-26 Champions League draw is set for Aug. 28 in Monaco, with 36 teams assigned across four pots and no intra-country pairings in the early rounds. The campaign will culminate on May 30 in Budapest, featuring a record six Premier League clubs in the group stage and an updated format designed to keep the drama high from launch to finish.
Positive outlook
– With top clubs contending under a uniform league-phase system, fans can expect a packed schedule of marquee matchups, competitive balance, and a fresh path to glory that could produce new European champions after a dramatic, season-long sprint to the final in Budapest.