Entering the second year under its new format, the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League draw will be held on Thursday, Aug. 28 in Monaco, assigning all the matchups for the primary stage of the world’s premier club soccer competition.
Coming off the club’s first-ever European title, Paris Saint-Germain enters the new campaign as one of the favorites to lift the trophy in Budapest, Hungary, at the end of May. Real Madrid, the 15-time winners, will look to get back on top after an exit in last year’s quarterfinals.
This is the first time the tournament has featured six teams from one domestic league, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Tottenham all representing the English Premier League.
Here’s what to know about Thursday’s draw:
When is the Champions League draw?
The UEFA Champions League draw is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28 at 12 p.m. ET.
How does the Champions League draw work?
Thirty-six teams from across Europe will participate in the league phase, with each being assigned eight opponents – four home matches and four on the road – in Thursday’s draw.
The clubs enter the draw in four pots based on UEFA rankings and cannot be matched up against another team from their own country (ex: Real Madrid can’t draw Barcelona), and no team can face more than two opponents from any other country.
Champions League format
The 36 clubs all play in one ‘league’ with matches staged on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays through January, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16.
The teams that finish ninth-24th enter the knockout round playoffs in February, two legged ties that will determine the other eight teams in the last 16.
Once the 16 remaining teams are determined, the rest of the bracket is drawn – with the top eight finishers seeded.
Champions League schedule
League stage
- 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 round playoffs
- First leg: Feb. 17-18
- Second leg: Feb. 24-25
Round of 16
- First leg: March 10-11
- Second leg: March 17-18
Quarterfinals
- First leg: April 7-8
- Second leg: April 14-15
Semifinals
- First leg: April 28-29
- Second leg: May 5-6
Final: May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary