Champions League draw: pots and how to watch
The 2026-27 Champions League league phase draw takes place on Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST in Monaco. The 36 teams are split into four pots based on Uefa coefficients, with each team facing two from each pot. Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal are in pot one, while Aston Villa and Manchester United are in pot two.
The draw’s new restriction prevents clubs from hosting the same opponent in three straight league phases, a tweak that reshapes potential repeat fixtures like Liverpool–Real Madrid or Arsenal–Inter. Each of the 36 teams will play eight distinct opponents—two from each of the four coefficient-based pots—while avoiding domestic clashes. Pot one features Europe’s elite, including back-to-back winners Paris St-Germain and Premier League trio Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal, while Aston Villa and Manchester United return from a season away in pot two.
Pot three and four mix established sides like Napoli and RB Leipzig with debutants or lesser-known qualifiers such as Viking, Sabah, and LASK. The league phase’s top eight advance directly to the round of 16, while ninth through 24th enter playoff ties; the bottom 12 are eliminated. The draw airs Thursday at 17:00 BST on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
This draw shapes the competitive landscape for Europe’s top clubs and their global fanbases, influencing matchday revenues, travel demands, and early-season momentum. For English sides, pot placements could determine whether they face weaker or stronger opponents, potentially affecting domestic fatigue and squad rotation. The new hosting restriction may reduce repetitive fixtures, but it also creates fresh rivalries. Fans and broadcasters alike will see immediate implications for ticket sales, viewing schedules, and the perceived difficulty of each club’s path to the knockout rounds.