Champions League draw held
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Champions League draw held Thursday in Monaco, setting 36 teams' league-phase paths. The draw shapes the road to Madrid final, with PSG seeking a historic three-peat.
Background
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league-phase draw took place on Thursday, August 27, in Monaco, determining the eight opponents each of the 36 qualified teams will face in the new league phase format. The draw occurs amid a governance crisis between UEFA and FIFA over FIFA President Gianni Infantino's failed attempt to sell stakes in World Cup profits to private investors. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain headline the field, aiming to become the first club since Real Madrid in 2018 to win three consecutive titles.
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026Qualifying rounds concluded, finalizing the 36 teams for the league phase.
- Aug 27, 2026The league-phase draw was held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco at 6 p.m. local time, with UEFA member federations meeting beforehand to discuss the FIFA governance crisis.
- recentlyThe draw results were announced, including notable matchups such as Arsenal vs Real Madrid and Manchester City vs PSG and Barcelona.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- UEFA proceeded with the draw as scheduled, focusing on the competition despite the ongoing governance dispute with FIFA.
- Analysts
- The new league phase format with a single mega-table increases the importance of every match, potentially altering strategic approaches.
- Public
- Fans expressed excitement over marquee matchups like Arsenal vs Real Madrid and Manchester City vs PSG, anticipating high-stakes clashes.