Key Takeaways:
- The Champions League draw will be held at 18:00 CET today in Monaco
- For the first time, England features six representatives in the competition due to UEFA coefficient standings and Tottenham’s Europa League triumph last season
- Newcomers Bodø/Glimt, Kairat, Pafos, and Royale Union SG will all make their Champions League debuts this season
League Phase Format and Progression
The Champions League returns with the draw for the league phase, featuring thirty-six teams in a single table format, taking place later today in Monaco. Each side will contest a total of eight fixtures, facing opponents drawn from each of the four seeded pots — playing both home and away against these rivals. Upon conclusion of this stage, the highest-ranked eight teams proceed directly to the Round of 16. Clubs finishing from 9th to 24th position will advance to an additional elimination round, whereas those ranked from 25th to 36th will exit the tournament.
Pot Allocations and English Representation
This edition marks a milestone for English football, as the Premier League will be represented by six clubs — a record achieved on account of England’s elevated coefficient and Tottenham’s Europa League success last season.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain | Benfica | Tottenham (Europa League winner) | Kairat (Kazakhstan) |
| Real Madrid | Club Brugge | PSV Eindhoven | Pafos (Cyprus) |
| Manchester City | Arsenal | Ajax | Royale Union SG (Belgium) |
| Bayern Munich | Bayer Leverkusen | Napoli | Copenhagen |
| Liverpool | Atlético Madrid | Sporting | Monaco |
| Inter | Atalanta | Olympiacos | Galatasaray |
| Chelsea | Villarreal | Slavia Prague | Qarabağ |
| Borussia Dortmund | Juventus | Bodø/Glimt | Athletic Bilbao |
| Barcelona | Eintracht | Marseille | Newcastle |
Debutants and Notable Inclusions
This season introduces several newcomers to the Champions League stage. Bodø/Glimt are set to make their tournament debut and hold the distinction of being the competition’s most northerly club. The fourth pot also features three first-timers: Kairat of Kazakhstan, Cyprus’ Pafos, and Belgium’s Royale Union SG.
Draw Procedure
The procedure will begin with a manual ceremony, after which computer software will randomly assign fixtures and determine the sequence of home and away matches for each club.
