The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League season is about to take shape with the league phase draw set for August 28, 2025, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Broadcast live on UEFA’s website at 5:00 PM UK time (1:00 PM Brasília time), the event will determine the matchups for the 36 participating clubs, including powerhouses like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. With a consolidated format featuring eight matches per team in the league phase, the draw promises excitement for fans and clubs eager to discover their opponents. The competition, culminating in the final in Budapest in May 2026, follows strict rules, such as prohibiting matchups between teams from the same country at this stage. The draw comes a day after the qualifying rounds conclude, with Arsenal, who finished third last season with 19 points, among the teams in focus.
The league phase kicks off on September 16, 2025, and runs through January 28, 2026, with matches spread across multiple rounds. The draw will finalize the last few spots, as qualifying ties like Ferencvaros vs. Qarabag and Rangers vs. Club Brugge wrap up.
- Key draw details:
- Event: August 28, 2025, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.
- Time: 1:00 PM Brasília time.
- Broadcast: UEFA’s official website.
- First matchday: September 16-18, 2025.
How the league phase draw works
The Champions League draw adheres to specific rules to ensure balance and competitiveness. The 36 clubs are divided into four pots based on UEFA’s club coefficient, which reflects performance in European competitions over recent years. Teams from the same country cannot face each other in this phase, ruling out clashes between Premier League sides like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City. Each team will play eight opponents, two from each pot, with four home and four away matches.
Arsenal, for instance, is in Pot 2 alongside clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, and Juventus. Pot 1 includes heavyweights such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. The final pot assignments may shift based on qualifying round outcomes.
- Draw rules:
- No matchups between teams from the same country.
- Each club faces two teams from each pot.
- Maximum of two opponents from the same country per team.
- Matches split evenly between home and away.
The draw also considers the performance of national federations in the previous season. England and Spain earned extra spots for the Premier League and La Liga due to their clubs’ strong showings in 2024/25.
Established competition format
The 2025/26 Champions League retains the league phase format introduced last season, replacing the traditional group stage. Each team plays eight matches against different opponents, ensuring varied and competitive fixtures. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing 9th to 24th compete in two-legged knockout play-offs.
Last season, Arsenal showcased their strength, earning 19 points with six wins in eight matches and conceding only three goals. Clubs are expected to continue adapting to this format, which demands consistency across multiple rounds.
- League phase structure:
- 36 teams play eight matches each.
- Four home and four away games.
- Top eight qualify directly for the round of 16.
- Teams from 9th to 24th enter play-offs.
The league phase begins on September 16, 2025, and concludes on January 28, 2026, with matches spread over five months to accommodate domestic schedules.
2025/26 season schedule
The league phase matchdays are carefully planned to avoid clashes with domestic competitions, giving clubs ample preparation time. Following the league phase, knockout play-offs start in February, with the round of 16 in March.
- League phase schedule:
- September 16-18, 2025: First matchday.
- September 30-October 1: Second matchday.
- October 21-22: Third matchday.
- November 4-5: Fourth matchday.
- November 25-26: Fifth matchday.
- December 9-10: Sixth matchday.
- January 20-21, 2026: Seventh matchday.
- January 28, 2026: Eighth matchday.
The knockout play-off draw is set for January 30, 2026, with matches in February. The round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals run from March to May, leading to the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026.
Teams in the running
Of the 36 clubs, 29 are already confirmed, featuring a mix of European giants and rising teams. Pot 1 includes Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Pot 2 features Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Pots 3 and 4 include teams like PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiacos, Athletic Club, and Newcastle. The final spots will be decided in the qualifying rounds, with ongoing ties like Basel vs. Copenhagen and Celta vs. Kairat Almaty.
- Confirmed teams by pot:
- Pot 1: PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern, Inter, Dortmund, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea.
- Pot 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Pot 3: PSV, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting Lisbon, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Marseille.
- Pot 4: Athletic Club, Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise, Newcastle.
The qualifying rounds, concluding on August 27, will finalize the lineup, heightening anticipation for the draw.
What to expect from the league phase
The league phase promises thrilling matchups, with traditional powerhouses facing emerging teams. The current format, which replaced group stages, has been praised for increasing competitiveness and reducing predictable games. Clubs like Arsenal, with a strong showing last season, enter with confidence, while underdogs aim to make their mark.
The final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena marks a historic moment for Hungary, hosting the competition’s showpiece for the first time. The venue reflects the country’s growing presence in European football.
- Season highlights:
- Format ensures diverse, competitive matchups.
- Budapest final marks a milestone for Hungary.
- Arsenal aims to replicate last season’s success.
- Emerging teams poised for potential upsets.
As the draw nears, fans and clubs eagerly await the matchups that will shape the road to the final. The 2025/26 Champions League promises another season of high-stakes drama, blending tradition with innovation.