UEFA Confirms Date for 2025/26 Champions League Group Stage Draw

There is still plenty of time before the start of the new Champions League season, but few competitions generate as much anticipation as this one, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Even before the group stage begins on September 16, several important dates are on the calendar.

UEFA has already scheduled the group stage draw, which will take place on August 28 in Nyon. As happened last year, a computer program will carry out the draw process, since a manual draw in this revolutionary format would be beyond possibilities.

Clubs will be divided into four pots with eight teams each according to their club coefficient. Paris Saint-Germain, as Champions League winners, are already placed in Pot 1. Bayern (2nd), Leverkusen (7th), and Dortmund (8th) from the Bundesliga are among the top eight teams. One team from Pot 1 must play against another team from Pot 1 and teams from the second pots in the group stage.

Champions League 2025/26: Which clubs are ready for the draw?

England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle

Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal

Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus

Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund

France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco

Netherlands: PSV, Ajax

Portugal: Sporting CP

Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise

Turkey: Galatasaray

Czech Republic: Slavia Prague

Greece: Olympiakos

29 clubs have already qualified for the group stage draw. England and Spain have each secured an additional place through UEFA’s annual ranking, so Newcastle and Villarreal will be represented. Tottenham qualified as Europa League winners, meaning the Premier League will have six clubs.

Champions League 2025/26: How will the remaining places be decided?

The remaining spots will be decided through qualifying and knockout rounds.

First qualifying round: July 8/9 and 15/16, 2025

Second qualifying round: July 22/23 and 29/30, 2025

Third qualifying round: August 5/6 and 12, 2025

Playoffs: August 19/20 and 26/27, 2025

The first qualifying round is already underway. However, only clubs from lower leagues will compete there. The second qualifying round will see well-known clubs such as FC Copenhagen and RB Salzburg participate.

The decision on which clubs will advance to the group stage will be made on August 26 and 27 with the return matches of the knockout phase.