What Time is the Champions League Draw? When and Where to Watch

The UEFA Champions League 2025-26 draw is set to take place on August 28. Thus, marking the start of another much-awaited season for Europe’s elite clubs. This year’s competition is set to follow the new league-phase format that was introduced last season. It replaces the traditional 4-team group stage.

The world will learn which teams will face which seven teams in the league phase. Several heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Barcelona are involved. With more matches and bigger stakes, this draw is expected to shape the competition’s dynamics for the months ahead.

#UCLdraw pots for the league phase 👀 pic.twitter.com/mmMny3Qh4r
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 28, 2025

What Time is the Champions League Draw?

The draw ceremony begins at 5:00 PM BST (6:00 PM CEST) on Thursday, August 28, 2025. It will take place at the prestigious Grimaldi Forum in Monaco will set the stage for the new season’s fixtures under UEFA’s league-phase system.

Champions League Draw Live Streaming Details

UK fans can watch the draw live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 5:00 PM BST. The event will also be streamed on Discovery+ and available to be watched for free on UEFA.com and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.

Also Read: Champions League Draw for 2025-26 Season – When, Where, Teams for League Phase, and More

Champions League 2025-26 League Phase Rules

This season uses the revamped league-phase format which began last season. 36 teams will be competing in the league phase instead of the previous 32. Each club will play eight matches – two opponents from each of four seeded pots, one home and one away.

Teams cannot face clubs from their own nation or more than two from the same country. Pot 1 includes reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, along with Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona.

Pot 2 features Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, and Juventus. Meanwhile, Pot 3 has clubs such as Tottenham, Ajax, and Napoli, while Pot 4 includes Newcastle United, Galatasaray, and Monaco. The Premier League has six representatives this year: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Also Read: Champions League Draw for 2025–26 Season: Which Teams Are in Which Pots? Rules Explained

Spurs qualified after their Europa League triumph. Matchdays will start from September 16-18, 2025 (Matchday 1) and end on January 28, 2026 (Matchday 8). Fans who can’t watch the draw on TV, can follow live updates on UEFA.com, talkSPORT, and social media. The draw will determine each club’s path toward the knockout stages.

The top eight teams from the league phase will progress automatically. Meanwhile those ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round. They will play two playoffs – one home and one away. The right winners will then progress and play the top eight teams in the round of 16.

Champions League

UCL 2025-26

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.