The UEFA Champions League returns to the spotlights. The most titled competition of European interclubs will open in Monaco, where 36 bands will be distributed in a new format, an attempt by the continental forum to make the competition and more attractive than at present.
Logo Uefa Champions League PHOTO/UEFA.com
The new season of the Champions League begins with a long-awaited draw, according to beinsports.com. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, August 28, inside the emblematic Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, where all the qualified teams will be represented.
This is the second season in which the European competition takes place in a frame with a completely renewed structure.
There are no traditional groups, but a single league format, in which each team will take place with eight different opponents, a way to increase enthusiasm.
How the drawing draw works
The 36 bands will be divided into four groups, based on UEFA coefficients. Each team will face two rivals in each group, a home match and one on the go – for a total of eight parties.
The drawing lots ensures the public that no team met twice, this aspect contributing to the unpredictability and drama of the first rounds.
The first eight teams in the ranking will qualify directly in the 16-year-olds, while the teams ranked between 9 and 24 places will enter a two-handed play-off. The teams ranked 25th and below are eliminated, without the possibility of saving the European season in the Europa League.
Who went into the race?
So far, 29 teams have secured their place, another seven to qualify through the play-off that ends on August 27.
On the list of qualifications are top names in Europe, such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, PSG, Juventus and Inter Milan. Historical clubs, such as Ajax Amsterdam, Galatasaray Istanbul and Olympiakos Piraus, have tickets to the big ball.
29/36 Qualified teams in season 2025/26 of the Champions League/Instagram
The main data of the matches
The championship phase will be played during the following stages:
Stage 1: September 16-18
Stage 2: September 30 – October 1
3rd stage: October 21/22
Stage 4: November 4/5
Stage 5: November 25/26
Stage 6: December 9/10
7th stage: January 20/21
8th stage: January 28.
