The UEFA Champions League is set to kick off for the 2026-2027 season next month, with the draw for the main round scheduled for Thursday. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are aiming for a remarkable third consecutive title, while renowned clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are eager to challenge for the crown.

Champions League Draw Details

The draw for the main round will take place on August 27 at 6 PM (17:00 GMT) at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. This season's league phase, now in its third year, will commence in September and continue until January, followed by the knockout rounds, culminating in the crowning of the champions in early June.

Qualification and Competing Teams

A total of 36 teams will compete in this year's Champions League, with 29 qualifying based on their rankings in their respective national leagues. The remaining seven spots were filled through a qualifying competition that wrapped up just before the draw. The latest teams to secure their places include Bodo/Glimt, LASK, Sabah, Fenerbahce, Viking Stavanger, Slovan Bratislava, and AEK Athens.

This year's competition features a diverse lineup of clubs, including AEK Athens, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and many more. Under the new format, each team will face eight opponents—two from each of the four pots—with four matches played at home and four away.