The draw for the league phase of the 2026-2027 Champions League will take place this Thursday, 27 August, in Monaco. The 36 participating clubs will learn their eight opponents, with two clubs drawn from each of the four pots, one home fixture and one away fixture within each pot. Two teams from the same country cannot face each other at this stage, and there is also a limit of two opponents from any other single association.
The four pots for the draw
Here is the composition of the first two pots, which contain the most eagerly awaited fixtures:
Pot 1
- PSG
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Inter Milan
- Arsenal
- FC Barcelona
- Atlético de Madrid
Pot 2
- Borussia Dortmund
- AS Roma
- Sporting
- Aston Villa
- FC Porto
- Manchester United
- Club Bruges
- Real Betis
- PSV Eindhoven
Four top-tier fixtures
Some teams already know they could end up with a particularly heavy schedule. Here are three possible scenarios, given as examples, illustrating the scale of the challenge awaiting certain favourites:
Scenario 1: an XXL schedule for Real Madrid
- Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
- Real Madrid vs Manchester United
Such a scenario would offer three major fixtures with these three opponents alone. Real, however, could not face Betis or Atlético due to the national restriction.
Scenario 2: PSG up against England and Germany
- PSG vs Manchester City
- PSG vs Borussia Dortmund
- PSG vs Aston Villa
The two-time European champions could thus find themselves facing two English sides and one German club among their potential opponents.
Scenario 3: Barcelona against regulars of big European nights
- FC Barcelona vs Liverpool
- FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan
- FC Barcelona vs Manchester United
- FC Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
Such a schedule would also look like an obstacle course, with four opponents well accustomed to big European nights.
Pot 2 can tip the balance of a schedule
Behind the nine top seeds, the presence of Dortmund, Manchester United, Aston Villa or Roma can considerably weigh down a favourite's programme. Conversely, Bruges, PSV or Betis may appear as more manageable draws, even though no opponent is insignificant over eight matchdays.
There will be no 'group of death' in the traditional sense, but some clubs could find themselves with a genuine marathon of European fixtures right from the autumn.
And with two opponents to be drawn from each of the four pots, Thursday's verdict will already sketch out part of the hierarchy for this new campaign.
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