Champions League Draw 2026-27, Schedule of Dates for League Phase Fixtures

The teams taking part in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League were set after qualifying rounds concluded on Wednesday.

36 squads will be part of the league phase before teams in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated in Jan. 2027.

Teams were placed into four pots based on their UEFA club coefficients on Wednesday.

Here's a look at the schedule of dates for the 2026-27 Champions League.

2026-27 Champions League Schedule

League Phase

• Matchday 1: Sept. 8-10
• Matchday 2: Oct. 13-14
• Matchday 3: Oct. 20-21
• Matchday 4: Nov. 3-4
• Matchday 5: Nov. 24-25
• Matchday 6: Dec. 8-9
• Matchday 7: Jan. 19-20
• Matchday 8: Jan. 27

Knockout Phases

• Knockout Phase Playoffs: Feb. 16-17 and Feb. 23-24
• Round of 16: March 9-10 and March 16-17
• Quarterfinals: April 6-7 and April 13-14
• Semifinals: April 27-28 and May 4-5
• Final: June 5

The exact opponents that each team will face during the league phase will be determined during Thursday's draw.

Beginning with the first pot, teams will be drawn against two opponents in each of the four pots until eight opponents are selected for the schedule. The draw moves to the other three pots in order until the entire league phase is finalized.

However, a team cannot play the same individual league phase fixture for three seasons in a row under new UEFA regulations.

The first pot automatically featured the reigning Champions League winner, Paris Saint-Germain, as the team looks to capture a third consecutive Champions League title.

PSG is attempting to become the fourth club to win the UEFA Champions League three straight times and the first since Real Madrid accomplished the feat in 2018.

Arsenal is a strong contender to emerge victorious after narrowly falling to PSG in the 2026 final. Arsenal put together a dominant 2025-26 run despite being unable to win a title, winning all eight league-phase matches.

Barcelona is also entering the Champions League with high expectations following a hard-fought defeat at the hands of Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinal round last season.