Qualifying and play-offs
Four qualifying rounds decide the final league-phase places before the draw.
European nights
Champions League 2026/27 Dates
Champions League 2026/27 calendar with qualifying, league phase, knockout rounds, draw dates and the 2027 final in Madrid.
At a glance
Core dates and planning notes
- Competition starts
- July 7, 2026
- League-phase draw
- August 27, 2026
- League phase starts
- September 8-10, 2026
- Final
- Saturday, June 5, 2027 in Madrid
Timeline
Date map
League-phase draw
The 36-team league phase is drawn, setting the autumn and winter schedule.
League phase
Eight matchdays run from early September through late January.
Knockout phase
Play-offs, round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals lead to the Madrid final.
Guide
How this fits the 2026/27 season
The European layer of the football calendar
The Champions League resumes quickly after the domestic restart. For readers following elite players after World Cup 2026, the first league-phase matchday is the earliest major European checkpoint.
League phase dates to save
UEFA lists Matchday 1 for September 8-10, then October 13/14, October 20/21, November 3/4, November 24/25, December 8/9, January 19/20 and January 27.
How to connect it with domestic leagues
Pair these UEFA dates with Premier League broadcast updates and FIFA release windows. That combination explains many rotation, injury-management and TV scheduling changes.
Next clicks
More football calendar pages
FAQ
Common questions
When does the Champions League 2026/27 league phase start?
The Champions League 2026/27 league phase starts with Matchday 1 on September 8-10, 2026.
When is the Champions League 2027 final?
The 2026/27 Champions League final is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2027.
Where is the 2027 Champions League final?
UEFA lists Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid as the venue for the 2027 Champions League final.