2026/27 Champions League: Dates, draws, teams and final

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League is set for another thrilling campaign as Europe’s top clubs compete for the continent’s biggest club trophy.

The competition, which was previously known as the European Cup, enters its 72nd season, with the 2026/27 edition marking the 35th season under the Champions League name and the third campaign to use the expanded league-phase format.

The tournament began on 7 July 2026 and will conclude with the final at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on 5 June 2027.

All dates are subject to change.

How does Champions League qualifying work in 2026/27?

A total of 29 teams qualify directly for the league phase, while the remaining seven places are decided through the qualifying rounds and August play-offs.

The qualifying entry point for each club is determined by its association’s UEFA club coefficient ranking. All qualifying ties are played over two legs.

2026/27 Champions League qualifying dates

• First qualifying round: 7/8 and 14/15 July 2026

• Second qualifying round: 21/22 and 28/29 July 2026

• Third qualifying round: 4/5 and 11 August 2026

• Play-offs: 18/19 and 25/26 August 2026

When are the Champions League league-phase matches?

The league phase will feature eight matchdays, with matches scheduled between September 2026 and January 2027.

• Matchday 1: 8–10 September 2026

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• 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-stage dates

After the league phase, the competition moves into the knockout rounds.

• Knockout phase play-offs: 16/17 and 23/24 February 2027

• Round of 16: 9/10 and 16/17 March 2027

• Quarter-finals: 6/7 and 13/14 April 2027

• Semi-finals: 27/28 April and 4/5 May 2027

• Final: 5 June 2027

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Champions League 2026/27 draw dates

The draws for the various stages are scheduled as follows:

• 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

The dates for the knockout-phase draws will be confirmed later.

Where will the 2027 Champions League final be played?

The Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid will host the 2026/27 Champions League final on Saturday, 5 June 2027.

The venue, which has been the home of Atlético de Madrid since 2017, will stage the competition’s showpiece for the second time.

The stadium previously hosted the Champions League final in 2019, when Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to claim their sixth European title.

What do the 2026/27 Champions League winners receive?

The winners will lift the famous UEFA Champions League trophy, which stands 73.5cm tall and weighs 7.5kg.

The champions will also secure a place in the 2027/28 Champions League league phase if they have not already qualified through their domestic competition.

In addition, the 2026/27 Champions League winners will face the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League winners in the UEFA Super Cup in August 2027.