As another Champions League season builds, fans across Europe are awaiting the moment when clubs learn their fate for the 2025–26 campaign. With the roar of the Champions League anthem just around the corner, UEFA is preparing for yet another dramatic edition of Europe’s biggest club competition.
While several heavyweight clubs have already secured their place, several others are hopefuls are still battling it out in the qualifiers. But for everyone, players, coaches, and fans, the big question is on their mind is when will the draw be held?
The Big Day: August 28
UEFA has confirmed that the draw for the 2025–26 Champions League league phase will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025. It will be the second season under UEFA’s revamped format, which replaced the traditional group stage with a new “league phase” system.
In this format, all 36 teams are placed into four seeding pots. Each club is then drawn to face eight different opponents, two from each pot, across eight matchdays. Half of the matches will be played at home, the other half away.
The top eight finishers in the league table will advance straight to the round of 16. Teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged play-off for the remaining spots in the knockouts. Clubs that finish 25th or below will be eliminated from all European competitions for the season.
Qualification battles underway
Although 29 clubs have already punched their ticket to the league phase, seven spots are still up for grabs through qualification. These places are being decided across a series of rounds that began on July 8.
The qualifying format includes three knockout rounds followed by a play-off, all played over two legs. The final play-off ties, scheduled for August 19–27, will determine the final entrants before the draw is made.
Who’s already in?
The Champions League is, as always, filled with familiar faces and rising challengers. Six clubs from England have qualified, thanks in part to Tottenham’s Europa League triumph. Spain follows closely with five entrants, while Italy and Germany each boast four.
Here’s a look at the clubs already confirmed:
- England (6): Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur
- Spain (5): Athletic Club, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal
- Italy (4): Atalanta, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli
- Germany (4): Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt
- France (3): Marseille, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
- Netherlands (2): Ajax, PSV Eindhoven
- Belgium (1): Union Saint-Gilloise
- Czechia (1): Slavia Prague
- Greece (1): Olympiacos
- Portugal (1): Sporting CP
- Türkiye (1): Galatasaray
Seven more clubs will complete the lineup by the end of August.
When does the action kick off?
After the draw, teams will have a few weeks to prepare. The league phase will begin on September 16–18, with matches continuing through January 2026. Here’s the full matchday schedule:
- Matchday 1: 16–18 September
- Matchday 2: 30 September & 1 October
- Matchday 3: 21–22 October
- Matchday 4: 4–5 November
- Matchday 5: 25–26 November
- Matchday 6: 9–10 December
- Matchday 7: 20–21 January
- Matchday 8: 28 January