2026/27 UEFA Champions League Draw Pots Explained
The league phase of the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/27 season will feature 36 teams divided into four pots, each containing nine clubs. UEFA will confirm the exact lineup ahead of the draw on August 27.
Current Pot Breakdown Based on Coefficients
So far, 29 teams have secured their spots in the league phase. The remaining seven places will be decided through play-offs taking place on August 25 and 26. According to UEFA’s regulations, team placement in the pots depends on club coefficient rankings at the season's start, except the reigning Champions League winner who automatically goes into Pot 1.
- Pot 1: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
- Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Sporting CP, Aston Villa, Porto, Manchester United, Club Brugge, Real Betis, PSV Eindhoven
- Pot 3: Feyenoord, Lille, Napoli, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Galatasaray
- Pot 4: Slavia Prague, Stuttgart, Como, Lens
Understanding the Draw Format
Being in Pot 1 doesn’t mean a team avoids tough competition from other strong squads. Each club plays against eight different opponents during the league phase, facing two teams from each pot including its own. Matches are split evenly between home and away games.
For instance, a Pot 1 team will compete against two fellow Pot 1 teams, plus two teams from each of Pots 2, 3, and 4.
Generally, teams from the same country won’t meet during the league phase. Also, a club can face no more than two teams from any single other nation.
Key Dates and Next Steps
The official draw happens in Monaco on Thursday, August 27 at 18:00 CET. Until then, any lists showing the full pot lineups should be considered tentative since play-offs will determine the final seven participants.
The league phase starts on September 8 and lasts until January 27, 2027. Each club will host four matches and travel for four others during this period.
