Champions League 2025-26 Draw: Key Details, Pots, and How It Works

Champions League 2025-26 draw is one of the most anticipated football events of the year, setting the stage for another thrilling edition of Europe’s top club competition. As Paris Saint-Germain look to defend their crown, clubs including Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter, and Club World Cup champions Chelsea are ready to fight for supremacy. Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming draw, seeding pots, viewing options, and draw procedure.

Champions League 2025-26 Draw: Date, Time, and Venue

The Champions League 2025-26 draw will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the prestigious Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The ceremony is set to begin at 5 pm BST (12 noon ET). This glitzy event not only determines the fate of the participating teams but also marks the official start of the journey toward European glory.

Where to Watch the Champions League Draw Live

Fans around the world can watch the Champions League 2025-26 draw live through multiple platforms.

– In the United States, Paramount+ subscribers can stream the draw, while CBS Sports Golazo will also have live coverage.
– In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports 1 is the exclusive broadcaster, with streaming available via discovery+ and Amazon Prime Video.
– UEFA will stream the draw live and provide real-time updates on uefa.com and social media channels.
– For ongoing live commentary and the latest developments, visit for more news.

Champions League 2025-26 Draw: Seeding Pots Explained

A total of 36 teams are divided into four pots with nine teams each, based on UEFA’s coefficients and association rankings. The pots are as follows:

Pot One

1. Paris Saint-Germain (France)
2. Real Madrid (Spain)
3. Manchester City (England)
4. Bayern Munich (Germany)
5. Liverpool (England)
6. Inter (Italy)
7. Chelsea (England)
8. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
9. Barcelona (Spain)

Pot Two

10. Arsenal (England)
11. Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
12. Atletico Madrid (Spain)
13. Benfica (Portugal)
14. Atalanta (Italy)
15. Villarreal (Spain)
16. Juventus (Italy)
17. Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
18. Club Brugge (Belgium)

Pot Three

19. Tottenham (England)
20. PSV (Netherlands)
21. Ajax (Netherlands)
22. Napoli (Italy)
23. Sporting (Portugal)
24. Olympiacos (Greece)
25. Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
26. Bodo/Glimt (Norway)
27. Marseille (France)

Pot Four

28. Copenhagen (Denmark)
29. Monaco (France)
30. Galatasaray (Turkey)
31. Union SG (Belgium)
32. Qarabag (Azerbaijan)
33. Athletic Club (Spain)
34. Newcastle United (England)
35. Pafos (Cyprus)
36. Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)

Champions League 2025-26 Draw Procedure and Restrictions

The Champions League 2025-26 draw follows a unique hybrid method that combines manual and automated processes:

How the Draw Works

– A ball is manually drawn from Pot One.
– Automated software then selects eight opponents for that team—two from each of the remaining three pots—and determines home and away fixtures.
– The process repeats for all Pot One teams, then proceeds to Pot Two, Pot Three, and finally Pot Four, ensuring a balanced and fair match-up schedule for every participant.

Draw Restrictions

– No two teams from the same national association can be drawn against each other in the league phase, so iconic rivalries like Liverpool vs. Chelsea or Real Madrid vs. Barcelona can’t happen at this stage.
– Teams cannot face more than two clubs from the same association.

Where to Get More Coverage and Live Updates

For those unable to tune in live, UEFA’s official site, uefa.com, offers continuous updates, and platforms like CBS Sports and TNT Sports provide analysis and reaction throughout the draw. Alternatively, you can check for more news on the Champions League and other football events.

Opinion: What to Expect from the Champions League 2025-26 Draw

The Champions League 2025-26 draw promises edge-of-the-seat excitement as Europe’s elite clubs are paired for the new league phase. The revamped format has added unpredictability, and with heavyweights like PSG, Real Madrid, and Manchester City in Pot One, the competition will be fierce from the very start. Fans should keep an eye on dark horses like Chelsea and emerging talents from Pot Three and Four, as shocks are always possible. Ultimately, the draw underlines why the Champions League remains the gold standard of club football.