{"id":50703,"date":"2026-08-08T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.eventuria.travel\/?p=50703"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:15:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T14:15:22","slug":"champions-league-2026-2027-play-offs-league-phase-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.eventuria.travel\/en\/champions-league-2026-2027-play-offs-league-phase-draw\/","title":{"rendered":"Champions League 2026\/27: play-offs, league phase draw and the first matches to plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Champions League 2026\/27<\/strong> is approaching the moment when all 36 league phase teams and the first European trips of the season will become known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00ae, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where the Champions League 2026\/27 stands now<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first legs of the play-offs are scheduled for 18 and 19 August, followed by the return matches on 25 and 26 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which teams have already qualified?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The list of 29 directly qualified clubs includes some of the most followed teams in European football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain will be represented by clubs including Real Madrid<\/a><\/strong>, FC Barcelona<\/a><\/strong>, Atl\u00e9tico Madrid and Villarreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool<\/a> <\/strong>have already qualified from England. Germany will have Borussia Dortmund and Bayern M\u00fcnchen<\/a><\/strong> in the league phase, alongside Leipzig and Stuttgart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inter and Napoli are among the Italian representatives, while Paris Saint-Germain<\/a><\/strong> has already qualified from France. The list also includes clubs such as Galatasaray, Porto, Sporting CP, PSV and Feyenoord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final seven teams will be known after the play-off return legs on 25 and 26 August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will the 27 August league phase draw reveal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The draw will determine each team\u2019s eight opponents and whether each match will be played at home or away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, every club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, with four fixtures at home and four away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For travellers, the Champions League<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to choose the right match and city<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before making your choice, compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n