2026/27 Champions League: Teams, Dates, Draws, Format and Final

The UEFA Champions League, formerly known as the European Cup, enters its 72nd season in 2026/27. This is the 35th edition under its current name and the third under the league-phase format.The 2026/27 competition kicked off on 7 July 2026 and concludes with the final at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday 5 June 2027.Please note that all dates are subject to change.

How Qualifying Works in the 2026/27 Champions League?

Twenty-nine teams qualified directly for the league phase. The remaining seven places were decided through qualifying, which culminated in the August play-offs.Teams entered the qualifying rounds according to their association club coefficient rankings. All ties were contested over two legs.

2026/27 Champions League Qualifying Rounds and Play-offs

First qualifying round: 7/8 & 14/15 July 2026
Second qualifying round: 21/22 & 28/29 July 2026
Third qualifying round: 4/5 & 11 August 2026
Play-offs: 18/19 & 25/26 August 2026

2026/27 Champions League League Phase Matchdays

Matchday 1: 8–10 September 2026
Matchday 2: 13/14 October 2026
Matchday 3: 20/21 October 2026
Matchday 4: 3/4 November 2026
Matchday 5: 24/25 November 2026
Matchday 6: 8/9 December 2026
Matchday 7: 19/20 January 2027
Matchday 8: 27 January 2027

2026/27 Champions League Knockout Phase Schedule

Knockout phase play-offs: 16/17 & 23/24 February 2027
Round of 16: 9/10 & 16/17 March 2027
Quarter-finals: 6/7 & 13/14 April 2027
Semi-finals: 27/28 April & 4/5 May 2027
Final: 5 June 2027

2026/27 Champions League Champions League Draws 2026/27

First qualifying round: 16 June 2026
Second qualifying round: 17 June 2026
Third qualifying round: 20 July 2026
Play-off round: 3 August 2026
League phase: 27 August 2026

Knockout phase draws are still to be confirmed.

When and Where is the 2027 Champions League Final?

The Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid will host the 2026/27 Champions League final on Saturday 5 June 2027.Madrid will be staging its sixth European Cup/Champions League final, more than any other city except London. This will be the second time the Estadio Metropolitano (home of Atlético de Madrid since 2017) has hosted the showpiece event. In 2019 Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0 at the same venue to claim their sixth title.

What Do the 2026/27 Champions League Winners Receive?

The winners are awarded the UEFA Champions League trophy, which stands 73.5 cm tall and weighs 7.5 kg.They also secure a place in the league phase of the 2027/28 Champions League if they have not already qualified through their domestic competition. In August 2027 the champions will face the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League in the UEFA Super Cup.The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League promises another season of elite European club football under the established league-phase format, culminating in a memorable final in Madrid.

_______