UEFA Champions League 2026/27: Draw, Groups & Full Season Guide

European club football's top prize dates back to 1955 as the European Cup, rebranded the UEFA Champions League in 1992. The competition changed format significantly in 2024/25, moving away from the traditional group stage — here's how the 2026/27 edition works. New to IPTV? our full IPTV explainer covers the basics.

The League Phase Format

Instead of small groups of four, 36 clubs now compete in a single league table, each playing eight matches against eight different opponents drawn from stratified pots to keep the schedule balanced. Points accumulate across all eight games into one combined standings table covering every club in the competition.

Qualifying for the Knockout Rounds

The top eight teams in the league phase advance directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing 9th through 24th enter a two-legged knockout playoff round for the remaining spots, while the bottom of the table is eliminated and drops into the Europa League or exits Europe altogether.

Who Qualifies for the Champions League

Places are earned primarily through domestic league finishes in the previous season — typically the top three or four clubs from Europe's strongest domestic leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga, plus the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners if they haven't already qualified domestically. A handful of clubs also come through qualifying rounds.

Knockout Stage and Final

From the round of 16 onward, the competition reverts to the traditional two-legged knockout format (except for a single-match final), building toward the final in late May or early June at a pre-selected neutral venue announced by UEFA well in advance.

FAQ

Why did the format change from groups to a league phase? UEFA introduced the change starting 2024/25 to increase the number of high-profile matchups in the early stages and give more clubs a mathematical path through the competition.

How many total matches does a club play if they go all the way? Eight league-phase matches plus up to a playoff round and four two-legged knockout rounds before the single-match final — a long, demanding run for any club reaching the latter stages.

Where can I find the confirmed draw and match dates? UEFA publishes the official league-phase pairings and full calendar on its own website after the draw each season.

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