UEFA 2025/26 Champions League draw: times, how to watch on TV, stream online

All eyes on Thursday will be firmly fixed to the action in Monaco as the fixture list for the league phase of the new 25/26 UCL season will be revealed.

Almost 90 days have passed since PSG were crowned champions of Europe in Munich after swatting Inter Milan aside in a very one sided final.

This Thursday, the 36 teams that progress to the league stage of the new Champions League ‘Swiss Model’ league format will discover their fixtures for the eight matchdays.

Instead of being divided into eight groups of four, all 36 teams are now part of a single league table with each team set to play eight matches in the league phase, a change from the previous six. They will face eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away.

Champions League: schedule for league phase

Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025

Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025

Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025

Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025

Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025

Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025

Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026

Matchday 8: 28 January 2026

What time does the Champions League draw start?

The gala event will commence in Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum on Thursday, 28 August with a 6pm local start (12pm ET/9am PT). The entire event is expected to take roughly 45 minutes.

How can I watch the Champions League draw?

The draw can be followed via the UEFA official YouTube channel and you can also be sure not to miss a moment of the action by joining our live text commentary right here on AS USA. Build up begins around an hour before kick-off.

Qualified teams

UEFA Champions League Title Holder:

Paris Saint-Germain (as they also qualified via their domestic league, a spot was rebalanced to another team).

UEFA Europa League Title Holder:

Tottenham Hotspur

Domestic League Performance:

England (4): Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea

Spain (4): Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club

Germany (4): Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund

Italy (4): Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Juventus

France (3): Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco

Netherlands (2): PSV Eindhoven, Ajax

Portugal (1): Sporting CP

Belgium (1): Union Saint-Gilloise

Turkey (1): Galatasaray

Czechia (1): Slavia Prague

European Performance Spots (2):

Newcastle United

Villarreal

Champions League Winner Rebalancing (1):

Olympiacos (This spot was re-allocated because the UCL winner, PSG, had qualified through their league position).

Play-off games to decide final 7 participants

Champions Path (5 winners)

Kairat Almaty vs Celtic

Pafos vs Crvena Zvezda

Sturm Graz vs Bodø/Glimt

Qarabağ vs Ferencváros

Copenhagen vs Basel

League Path (2 winners)

Benfica vs Fenerbahçe

Club Brugge vs Rangers