The league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League will take place on Thursday, with BBC Sport providing details on the timing and pot allocations.
Football fans can follow the draw as it happens, with BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team offering insights into which teams are placed in each pot. This marks the first major step in organizing the expanded Champions League format for the 2026-27 season.
KEY FACTS
- The Champions League league phase draw for 2026-27 is scheduled for Thursday.
- BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team will cover the event.
- The draw will determine matchups based on pot allocations for participating teams.
What happens in the Champions League draw?
The draw represents the first step in organizing the expanded Champions League format that will debut in the 2026-27 season. Teams are divided into pots based on their UEFA coefficients, with the draw determining their league phase opponents. Unlike previous editions, this marks a shift to the new ‘swiss model’ tournament structure.
How are teams allocated to pots?
The pot allocations follow UEFA’s club coefficient rankings, meaning the strongest teams are placed in Pot 1 and subsequent pots contain progressively lower-ranked teams. This seeding system aims to create balanced initial matchups in the league phase. The exact composition of each pot won’t be confirmed until the draw date approaches.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T
Verified by the source:
- The league phase draw occurs on Thursday
- BBC Sport will provide coverage and analysis
- The draw uses a pot-based seeding system
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact time of the draw on Thursday
- Final list of participating teams
- Detailed format of the new league phase
WHY IT MATTERS
The Champions League remains European club football’s premier competition, with the 2026-27 edition introducing significant structural changes that will affect how teams qualify and progress. The draw represents fans’ first look at potential high-profile matchups in the new format.
WHAT TO WATCH
Football fans should monitor BBC Sport’s coverage for updates as Thursday’s draw approaches, including potential late changes to team allocations and further Champions League format details.