When is the Champions League draw, which teams are in, and what are the dates?

The 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League season is set to commence next month, with the draw for the main round scheduled for August 27 in Monaco.

Back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title. They face strong competition from European powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich, all eager to dethrone the current champions.

A total of 36 teams will participate in the revamped format. Twenty-nine teams secured their spots through their performance in their respective national leagues, while the remaining seven places were decided through a qualifying competition that concluded just before the draw. Teams like Bodo/Glimt, LASK, and Sabah recently secured their berths, leaving a few final spots to be contested.

The league phase, now in its third year under the new structure, will kick off in September and continue until January. This phase will be followed by the intense knockout rounds, with the ultimate champion being crowned in early June.

Under the current format, each team will play eight matches against opponents from four different pots, with four home and four away fixtures. The draw will determine these matchups, setting the stage for a thrilling European club football season.