Getting into the second yr underneath its new format, the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League draw can be held on Thursday, Aug. 28 in Monaco, assigning all of the matchups for the first stage of the world’s premier membership soccer competitors.
Coming off the membership’s first-ever European title, enters the brand new marketing campaign as one of many favorites to elevate the trophy in Budapest, Hungary, on the finish of Might. Actual Madrid, the 15-time winners, will look to get again on high after an exit in final yr’s quarterfinals.
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That is the primary time the match has featured six groups from one home league, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Tottenham all representing the .
Here is what to learn about Thursday’s draw:
The UEFA Champions League trophy is certainly one of sport’s most iconic prizes.
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 groups from throughout Europe will take part within the league section, with every being assigned eight opponents – 4 dwelling matches and 4 on the street – in Thursday’s draw.
The golf equipment enter the attract 4 pots primarily based on UEFA rankings and can’t be matched up towards one other workforce from their very own nation (ex: Actual Madrid cannot draw Barcelona), and no workforce can face greater than two opponents from another nation.
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Champions League format
The 36 golf equipment all play in a single “league” with matches staged on choose Tuesdays and Wednesdays via January, with the highest eight groups advancing on to the spherical of 16.
The groups that end ninth-Twenty fourth enter the knockout spherical playoffs in February, two legged ties that can decide the opposite eight groups within the final 16.
As soon as the 16 remaining groups are decided, the remainder of the bracket is drawn – with the highest eight finishers seeded.
Champions League schedule
League stage
Matchday 2: Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Matchday 7: Jan. 20-21, 2026
Matchday 8: Jan. 28, 2026
Knockout spherical playoffs
Spherical of 16
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Last: Might 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary
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