Why a computer runs the 2026/27 Champions League draw and which two fixtures are banned

Thursday’s Champions League league-phase draw takes place in Monaco at 5pm UK time, with 36 clubs — including five from the Premier League — learning their eight opponents for the 2026/27 edition of the competition.

How the draw works

Each of the 36 clubs has a physical ball in the draw, but once a team is selected, a computer automatically assigns their opponents rather than producing individual balls for every possible pairing. UEFA moved to this system precisely because the old group-stage method, applied to a 36-team league phase, would require nearly 1,000 balls and at least 36 bowls on stage. The software displays each assignment in real time for those watching in the arena and at home, and also determines which side has home advantage in each fixture.

The banned fixtures

UEFA rules prohibit the same fixture — with the same team as host — from being played in three consecutive seasons. That restriction affects two Premier League clubs this time around: Inter Milan cannot host Arsenal for a third straight year, and Liverpool cannot host Real Madrid for a third straight year. Both reverse fixtures remain permitted, meaning Arsenal can still draw Inter at the Emirates and Liverpool can still travel to the Bernabéu.

Country restrictions

Teams are also barred from facing opponents from their own nation during the league phase, and can be drawn against a maximum of two clubs from any single country. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool are all involved and cannot meet each other until the knockout rounds. The last all-English Champions League tie was the 2021 final, when Chelsea defeated Manchester City.

The schedule

The league phase opens on 8 September, with the first round of matches spread across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of that week. Six rounds of fixtures are scheduled before the end of the calendar year, with the final two gameweeks falling in January — the last of which, on 27 January, features 18 simultaneous matches.

The draw features the 29 sides who qualified automatically for the league phase alongside seven clubs who came through their play-offs on Tuesday and Wednesday.