The seeding pots for Thursday’s 2026–27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw have been confirmed after the final four clubs secured their places in the competition on Wednesday.
A total of 36 teams will compete in the league phase. The clubs have been divided into four pots according to their UEFA coefficient, which is based on performances in European competitions over the previous five seasons.
Under the Champions League draw format, every club will face two opponents from each pot—including its own. One match against a team from each pot will be played at home and the other away, giving every club eight league-phase fixtures.
Confirmed Champions League Draw Pots for 2026–27
Pot 1
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Bayern Munich (Germany)
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Liverpool (England)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
- Manchester City (England)
- Arsenal (England)
- Barcelona (Spain)
- Atletico Madrid (Spain)
Pot 1 features many of European football’s biggest clubs. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain headline a group containing several leading Champions League contenders.
Pot 2
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Roma (Italy)
- Sporting CP (Portugal)
- Aston Villa (England)
- Porto (Portugal)
- Manchester United (England)
- Club Brugge (Belgium)
- Real Betis (Spain)
- PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
Pot 2 also contains significant European pedigree. Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Porto are joined by Roma, Sporting CP and an Aston Villa side returning to the continent’s elite competition.
Pot 3
- Feyenoord (Netherlands)
- Lille (France)
- Bodø/Glimt (Norway)
- Napoli (Italy)
- RB Leipzig (Germany)
- Villarreal (Spain)
- Fenerbahçe (Turkey)
- Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
- Galatasaray (Turkey)
Pot 3 could produce several difficult assignments. Napoli, RB Leipzig and Villarreal offer considerable experience, while Turkish rivals Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are renowned for their intense home atmospheres.
Pot 4
- Slavia Prague (Czechia)
- Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia)
- Stuttgart (Germany)
- AEK Athens (Greece)
- LASK (Austria)
- Como (Italy)
- Lens (France)
- Viking (Norway)
- Sabah (Azerbaijan)
Although these clubs occupy the fourth pot, the expanded format means none should be treated as a straightforward opponent. Stuttgart, Lens and Como could be particularly challenging draws for the competition’s established powers.
How Does the Champions League League-Phase Draw Work?
Each of the 36 teams will be drawn against eight different opponents:
- Two opponents from Pot 1
- Two opponents from Pot 2
- Two opponents from Pot 3
- Two opponents from Pot 4
Every club will play four matches at home and four away. Teams cannot face another club from their own national association during the league phase and may be drawn against no more than two teams from any other country.
All 36 clubs will compete in a single league table. The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the round of 16, while those finishing ninth through 24th will enter the knockout-phase playoffs. Clubs placed 25th or lower will be eliminated.
When Is the 2026–27 Champions League Draw?
The 2026–27 Champions League league phase draw is scheduled to take place on Thursday. It will determine the eight opponents awaiting every club and reveal the major fixtures of the opening stage.
With elite teams spread throughout all four pots, the draw promises heavyweight meetings from the beginning of the tournament. Attention will be firmly focused on potential clashes involving Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City and reigning European powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain.
Champions League Draw Pots: Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams are in the Champions League league phase?
The league phase contains 36 teams.
How many matches will each club play?
Every team will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against eight different opponents.
Can teams from the same country face each other?
No. Clubs cannot be drawn against teams from their own domestic association during the league phase.
Does a Pot 1 team only play lower-seeded clubs?
No. Every team faces two opponents from each of the four pots, including two from its own pot.
How do teams qualify for the knockout rounds?
The top eight clubs qualify directly for the round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to 24th contest two-legged playoffs for the remaining places, while the bottom 12 are eliminated.