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2026/27 UEFA Champions League: Key Dates for Group Stage and Knockouts

The UEFA Champions League, the premier club football competition globally, is set to kick off its league phase soon. After the qualifying rounds wrapped up, 36 teams will compete in this stage aiming to secure one of the 24 spots in the knockout rounds. Paris Saint-Germain, fresh off consecutive titles, seek to become only the fourth club to win three in a row.

Group Stage Schedule for 2026/27 Season

The group stage starts on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Unlike previous formats, the opening matchweek spreads fixtures across three days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Subsequent matchweeks will feature games on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The pairings for these matches will be revealed during the draw on Thursday, August 27.

  • Matchweek 1: September 8-10, 2026
  • Matchweek 2: October 13-14, 2026
  • Matchweek 3: October 20-21, 2026
  • Matchweek 4: November 3-4, 2026
  • Matchweek 5: November 24-25, 2026
  • Matchweek 6: December 8-9, 2026
  • Matchweek 7: January 19-20, 2027
  • Matchweek 8: January 27, 2027 (all matches played on this day to ensure fairness)

Details on the Knockout Phase

The knockout stages start on February 16, 2027, with the knockout playoff round. The eight best teams from the league phase skip this playoff and advance directly to the Round of 16, which begins March 9, 2027. There are two draws related to the knockout rounds: one on January 29, 2027, for the knockout playoffs bracket, and another on February 26, 2027, to decide the Round of 16 matchups.

Knockout Round Timeline

  • Knockout Playoff Draw: January 29, 2027
  • Knockout Playoff First Leg: February 16-17, 2027
  • Knockout Playoff Second Leg: February 23-24, 2027
  • Round of 16 Draw: February 26, 2027
  • Round of 16 First Leg: March 9-10, 2027
  • Round of 16 Second Leg: March 16-17, 2027
  • Quarterfinals: April 6-7 & April 13-14, 2027
  • Semifinals: April 27-28 & May 4-5, 2027
  • Final: June 5, 2027

Where Will the Final Take Place?

The grand final will be held at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, home ground of Atletico Madrid. This match is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2027.

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