Champions League 2026/27 Schedule: Fixtures, Dates & Times

Fixtures, Dates, Kick-Off Times and Full Calendar of Champions League 2026/27

The Champions League 2026/27 schedule is entering an important stage, with the final seven places in the league phase set to be decided in the qualifying play-offs next week.

As of Friday, August 21, 2026, the first legs of the Champions League play-offs have been completed, while the second legs are scheduled for August 25 and 26. The successful teams will join the 29 clubs already qualified directly for the league phase.

The league-phase draw will then take place in Monaco on Thursday, August 27, before the 2026/27 league phase begins on September 8.

This guide covers the latest UEFA Champions League fixtures, dates, schedule, qualifying rounds, league-phase matchdays, knockout-stage dates and 2027 final.

Premier League 2026/27 Schedule: This Week and Next Week

NBA Schedule 2026-27: Christmas Day Rivalries, Ring Night and the Games to Watch

Champions League 2026/27 Schedule at a Glance

UEFA’s official calendar confirms these dates, although competition dates can be subject to change.

What Is Happening in the Champions League Today?

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026

There are no Champions League matches scheduled today. The competition is between the first and second legs of the play-off round.

The first legs were played on August 18 and 19, while the decisive second legs will take place on August 25 and 26. Seven clubs will ultimately qualify from the play-offs for the 36-team league phase.

Champions League Play-Off Second-Leg Fixtures

UEFA lists these as the second-leg play-off fixtures, with Sabah vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva starting at 18:45 CET and the other matches scheduled for 21:00 CET.

Champions League Play-Offs: What Is at Stake?

The play-off round determines the final seven places in the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.

There are two qualification paths: the Champions Path and the League Path. The winners of the seven ties will advance to the league phase, while the defeated clubs will move into the UEFA Europa League league phase.

Among the most interesting ties is Lyon vs Fenerbahçe, with the Turkish club attempting to secure a return to the Champions League league phase.

Celtic also face a decisive second leg against LASK, while AEK Athens meet Levski Sofia after the opening leg.

When Is the Champions League 2026/27 League-Phase Draw?

The Champions League league-phase draw is scheduled for:

Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 18:00 CET
Location: Monaco

The draw will feature 36 teams, including 29 clubs that have qualified directly and the seven play-off winners.

The draw will determine each club’s eight opponents for the league phase.

When Does the Champions League League Phase Start?

The first league-phase matches will be played from September 8 to 10, 2026.

Unlike the old group-stage system, the Champions League now features a single 36-team league table. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents.

Champions League League-Phase Schedule

The league phase concludes on January 27, 2027. UEFA regulations state that the final league-phase matchday is played simultaneously at 21:00 CET, subject to permitted exceptions.

How Does the New Champions League Format Work?

The 2026/27 competition continues with the expanded 36-team league phase.

Every club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with four games at home and four away.

The final league standings determine who advances:

• 1st–8th: Direct qualification for the round of 16
• 9th–24th: Knockout phase play-offs
• 25th–36th: Eliminated from the Champions League

That makes the league table particularly important because finishing inside the top eight means avoiding an additional knockout round.

Champions League 2026/27 Knockout Schedule

After the league phase concludes in January, the competition moves into the knockout stages.

Knockout Phase Play-Offs

February 16/17 and February 23/24, 2027

Teams finishing ninth through 24th will compete for the remaining places in the round of 16.

Round of 16

March 9/10 and March 16/17, 2027

The round of 16 will feature 16 clubs competing over two legs.

Quarter-Finals

April 6/7 and April 13/14, 2027

Eight clubs will remain in the competition.

Semi-Finals

April 27/28 and May 4/5, 2027

The final four teams will compete for places in the Champions League final.

Champions League Final

Saturday, June 5, 2027

The 2027 Champions League final will be played at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. UEFA has confirmed Madrid as the host city for the tournament’s showpiece match.

Champions League Kick-Off Times

UEFA regulations state that Champions League play-off and league-phase matches generally kick off at 21:00 CET, although selected matches can start at 18:45 CET.

For international readers, the schedule can be displayed using:

Exact local kick-off times should be updated when UEFA confirms individual fixtures.

Champions League 2026/27 Key Dates

For fans looking for the most important dates, these are the ones to bookmark:

August 25–26, 2026: Champions League play-off second legs
August 27, 2026: League-phase draw
September 8–10, 2026: Matchday 1
January 27, 2027: Matchday 8
February 16/17, 2027: Knockout play-offs begin
March 9/10, 2027: Round of 16 begins
April 6/7, 2027: Quarter-finals begin
April 27/28, 2027: Semi-finals begin
June 5, 2027: Champions League final

When Is the 2027 Champions League Final?

The Champions League final will take place on June 5, 2027, at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.

The stadium, home of Atlético de Madrid, previously hosted the Champions League final in 2019, when Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. UEFA says the 2027 final will be Madrid’s sixth European Cup or Champions League final.

Will Champions League Fixtures Change?

Yes. UEFA notes that dates are subject to change, and individual kick-off times can also be adjusted.

This is particularly important during the league and knockout phases, when television arrangements and competition scheduling can affect match times.

For the latest fixtures and results, readers should check the official UEFA Champions League fixtures and results.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Champions League match?

The next Champions League matches are the play-off second legs on August 25 and 26, 2026. Seven clubs will secure places in the league phase.

When is the Champions League 2026/27 draw?

The league-phase draw takes place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 18:00 CET in Monaco.

When does the Champions League league phase begin?

The league phase begins on September 8, 2026, with Matchday 1 running through September 10.

How many teams are in the Champions League league phase?

There will be 36 teams in the league phase. Twenty-nine clubs qualify directly and seven places are decided through the play-offs.

When is the Champions League final?

The 2027 Champions League final is scheduled for June 5, 2027, at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.

Final Word

The Champions League 2026/27 schedule is entering its next decisive phase.

As of August 21, 2026, the first play-off legs have been completed and seven league-phase places remain available. The decisive second legs take place on August 25 and 26, followed by the league-phase draw in Monaco on August 27.

The league phase then begins in September, with 36 clubs competing across eight matchdays before the knockout rounds begin in February 2027.

The journey will ultimately lead to Madrid on June 5, 2027, where the next Champions League winner will be crowned.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Note: Champions League fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change. Check UEFA’s official schedule for the latest confirmed information.

NBA Schedule 2026-27: Christmas Day Rivalries, Ring Night and the Games to Watch

PSG v Arsenal: How Paris Won the Champions League Final on Penalties

Cristiano Ronaldo Jr.: Club, Lifestyle, Career and Future Prospects

🔹🔹  Follow us on Facebook  🔹🔹