The Uefa Champions League 2025/2026 kicks off its league phase with the draw for matchups on Thursday, August 28, at 1:00 PM (Brasília time), at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, France. The 36 qualified clubs, including newcomers Benfica, Club Brugge, FC Copenhagen, and Qarabag, will have their opponents determined in an event broadcast live on TNT and the streaming platform Max. The competition retains the innovative format introduced last season, featuring a single league table where each team plays eight matches against opponents drawn from four pots based on Uefa’s club rankings. The draw, using automated software, will avoid matchups between teams from the same country, ensuring balanced and thrilling encounters. The league phase begins on September 16 and runs until January 28, 2026, culminating in the final on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
The event marks the start of one of the most prestigious competitions in world football, bringing together giants like Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, alongside debutants such as Kairat from Kazakhstan and Bodø/Glimt from Norway. Expectations are high among fans and analysts awaiting clashes between European powerhouses and potential surprises from less traditional clubs.
- Key league phase dates: Starts September 16, 2025, ends January 28, 2026.
- Draw broadcast: TNT (pay TV) and Max (streaming), from 1:00 PM.
- Final venue: Puskás Aréna, Budapest, on May 30, 2026.
New competition format
The Uefa Champions League 2025/2026 continues the format introduced last season, replacing the traditional group stage with a league phase featuring 36 teams. Each club faces eight opponents, two from each of the four pots, determined by Uefa’s club coefficient. Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champion, is the top seed in pot 1, securing a strategic position in the draw.
The scoring system remains standard: three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th compete in two-legged knockout playoffs. Teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated, with no chance to drop into the Europa League.
- Draw pots: Divided into four based on Uefa rankings.
- Restrictions: No domestic matchups, and each team faces a maximum of two clubs from another nation.
- Automated software: Determines opponents and home/away fixtures, ensuring fairness.
The format aims to boost competitiveness, promoting more games between teams of different levels and increasing the likelihood of high-profile clashes early in the competition. The inclusion of clubs from less traditional nations, like Kairat from Kazakhstan and Bodø/Glimt from Norway, underscores the tournament’s geographic expansion.
Qualified clubs and highlights
The list of 36 qualified clubs reflects the diversity of European football, with representatives from 18 countries. Alongside traditional giants like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, the competition will feature debutants poised to surprise. Bodø/Glimt, for instance, will be the northernmost club to compete in the tournament’s history, while Kairat from Almaty marks Kazakhstan’s farthest-ever entry since the group stage’s inception.
The final four qualifiers, confirmed on Wednesday, August 27, showed strength in the playoffs. Benfica edged out Fenerbahçe with a narrow 1-0 win, while Club Brugge thrashed Rangers 6-0 in Belgium. FC Copenhagen eliminated Basel with a home victory, and Qarabag secured their spot against Ferencváros despite a loss in the second leg.
- Debutants: Bodø/Glimt (Norway), Kairat (Kazakhstan), Pafos (Cyprus), and Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium).
- Reigning champion: Paris Saint-Germain, top seed in pot 1.
- English clubs: Six representatives, a record, with Tottenham Hotspur earning an extra spot via Uefa rankings.
- Countries represented: 18, with England (6 teams) and Spain (4 teams) leading.
The presence of clubs like Pafos from Cyprus and Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium highlights the growing competitiveness of smaller leagues, now facing off against powerhouses in a more inclusive competition.
Draw broadcast and coverage
The league phase draw is one of the most anticipated events in the sports calendar, with live coverage on TNT (pay TV) and the Max streaming platform. Coverage starts at 12:30 PM (Brasília time) with expert commentary and analysis, ensuring fans catch every detail. Uefa will also stream the event on its official platform, UEFA.tv, broadening access for global audiences.
Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, a traditional Uefa event venue, hosts the ceremony, which promises to be dynamic, using technology to streamline the draw and avoid invalid matchups, such as domestic clashes.
- Broadcast channels: TNT, Max, and UEFA.tv.
- Start time: 1:00 PM (Brasília time).
- Venue: Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, France.
TNT Sports’ multi-platform coverage, including select matches on the Space channel, underscores their commitment to delivering a comprehensive experience for Brazilian fans, with expert narration and commentary.
League phase expectations
The league phase, starting September 16, promises unpredictable matchups, as the new format increases the chances of games between teams of varying levels. Clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are favorites, but recent Champions League history shows surprises are common, especially with less traditional teams.
The absence of Russian clubs, due to Uefa’s suspension amid the Ukraine conflict, opens opportunities for others to shine. The league phase spans 10 matchdays, with one exclusive week free of Europa League or Conference League games, ensuring full fan focus.
- Favorites: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain.
- Potential surprises: Bodø/Glimt, Qarabag, Union Saint-Gilloise.
- Exclusive week: One matchday without competing Uefa tournaments.
The tight schedule, with games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except matchday eight, only Wednesdays), keeps the competition intense, leading to the playoffs starting in February 2026.
Road to the final
The knockout phase, beginning in February 2026, follows the classic two-legged format, except for the final, set for May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. Teams ranked 1st to 4th in the league phase will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home in the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals, a Uefa innovation to reward top performers.
The Budapest final will be the Puskás Aréna’s first time hosting the Champions League decider, following its 2023 Europa League final. The event is expected to be grand, with a capacity of over 60,000 fans, cementing Hungary as a new hub for European football.
- Knockout playoffs: February 17 to 25, 2026.
- Round of 16: March 10 to 18, 2026.
- Final: May 30, 2026, Puskás Aréna, Budapest.
The journey to the final promises excitement, with clubs of varying traditions and styles vying for the most coveted title in club football.
