The Champions League 2026/27 is approaching the moment when all 36 league phase teams and the first European trips of the season will become known.
The third qualifying round concludes on 11 August, the play-offs take place on 18/19 and 25/26 August, and the league phase draw is scheduled for 27 August. The opening matches will be played between 8 and 10 September 2026.
For supporters, every match can become the beginning of a journey: the city, the stadium, the ticket category, flights, hotel and time to explore the destination. At EVENTURIA®, these elements are coordinated into an experience built around the match, with careful consideration for the official schedule and the natural pace of the trip.
Where the Champions League 2026/27 stands now
Qualifying began on 7 July and concludes on 26 August. At present, 29 clubs have qualified directly for the league phase, while the final seven places will go to the play-off winners.
The competition is currently between the two legs of the third qualifying round. The first legs were played on 4 and 5 August, with the return matches scheduled for 11 August.
The play-off draw has already taken place, on 3 August. The routes to the league phase have been determined, although the identity of every participating club will only be confirmed after the third qualifying round concludes.
The first legs of the play-offs are scheduled for 18 and 19 August, followed by the return matches on 25 and 26 August.
Which teams have already qualified?
The list of 29 directly qualified clubs includes some of the most followed teams in European football.
Spain will be represented by clubs including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Villarreal.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool have already qualified from England. Germany will have Borussia Dortmund and Bayern München in the league phase, alongside Leipzig and Stuttgart.
Inter and Napoli are among the Italian representatives, while Paris Saint-Germain has already qualified from France. The list also includes clubs such as Galatasaray, Porto, Sporting CP, PSV and Feyenoord.
The final seven teams will be known after the play-off return legs on 25 and 26 August.
What will the 27 August league phase draw reveal?
The draw will determine each team’s eight opponents and whether each match will be played at home or away.
The 36 clubs will be divided into four seeding pots of nine teams. Each club will face two opponents from every pot: one at home and one away.
In total, every club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, with four fixtures at home and four away.
For travellers, the Champions League draw opens up the map of the season. It reveals the fixtures worth travelling for, the cities you may want to discover and the periods that fit your personal schedule.
However, knowing the opponents and the home or away status is not enough to book the trip. The exact match date and kick-off time must be confirmed in the official schedule. A difference of 24 hours can change the most suitable flight, number of hotel nights or even the preferred airport.
How to choose the right match and city
A meeting between two major clubs may immediately attract attention, but the complete experience also depends on the destination. Flight connections, hotel location and transport after the match can shape the entire stay.
Before making your choice, compare:
- the confirmed match date and kick-off time;
- available airports and flight schedules;
- the distance between the hotel, city centre and stadium;
- transport options after the match;
- the ticket category and stadium area;
- the number of nights required;
- how much time you want to spend exploring the city.
For evening matches, arriving on the same day can create an unnecessarily tight schedule. A delayed flight or a transfer that takes longer than expected may affect stadium access. Arriving one day earlier will usually provide a more comfortable margin.
A two-night stay may work well for destinations with direct flights and convenient schedules. For larger cities or less flexible connections, three nights allow for a more balanced experience.
You can explore the selection of UEFA Champions League matches and packages as opponents and schedules are confirmed.
How EVENTURIA® builds the journey
The process begins with the team, match or city you want to discover. Once the schedule has been confirmed, EVENTURIA® can check the match access, accommodation and transport options available for the relevant period.
The hotel can be selected according to the stadium, city centre and public transport connections. Depending on the confirmed services, the itinerary may also include transfers, restaurant reservations or local experiences.
Through Travel Concierge, the different parts of the journey are coordinated into one itinerary, with human assistance before and throughout the trip. More details are available in our guide to the premium Champions League 2026/27 package.
For other leagues and competitions, explore the EVENTURIA® football tickets and travel packages.
Frequently asked questions about Champions League 2026/27
When are the Champions League play-offs?
The first legs are scheduled for 18 and 19 August 2026, with the return matches taking place on 25 and 26 August 2026.
When is the league phase draw?
The draw is scheduled for 27 August 2026. It will determine each team’s eight opponents and which matches will be played at home or away.
When does the league phase begin?
The opening matchday will take place between 8 and 10 September 2026. The exact match date and kick-off time must be confirmed before booking the trip.
How many matches will each team play?
Each of the 36 teams will play eight matches: four at home and four away, against eight different opponents.
Choose the European night you want to experience
Choose the team and city, and EVENTURIA® will build your journey around the match, with expertise dating back to 2003 and around-the-clock Travel Concierge support.
Message an EVENTURIA® consultant on WhatsApp to check match access, accommodation and transport options. Availability, rates and included services will be reconfirmed at the time of your enquiry.
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