The official draw for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League 2026-27 was held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on June 17, 2026. This draw is a crucial step for teams aiming to secure a spot in Europe's premier club competition, establishing matchups that will see higher-ranked teams face off against underdogs.

Draw Details

A total of 28 clubs or pairings were organized into two distinct paths during the draw. The matches will take place over two legs, with the first set of games scheduled for July 21 and 22, followed by the return fixtures on July 28 and 29. This stage marks the initial encounters between preliminary winners and higher-seeded domestic runners-up.

Competition Format

In total, 29 teams will gain direct entry into the league phase, while the final seven spots will be filled through qualifying rounds that culminate in play-offs in August. The starting point for each team's qualifying journey is determined by their association club coefficient rankings. Each matchup will be played over two legs, with aggregate scores deciding who advances. If teams are level after both matches, extra time and a penalty shootout will be used to determine progression.

The draw features two paths: the Champions Path and the League Path. The Champions Path consists of 24 teams, including 10 automatic entrants and 14 teams that progress from the first qualifying round, which concludes on July 15, 2026. The League Path includes four teams, all of which are domestic runners-up from associations with higher UEFA club coefficients.