The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious tournaments in club football, and as the anticipation builds for the 2025/2026 season, the excitement is palpable. The draw for this season’s competition will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment as teams prepare to vie for the coveted "Orejona" trophy.
Format Overview
The tournament will welcome 36 teams, divided into four groups called "bombos" based on their UEFA coefficient. Each team will play eight matches during a league format, with the top eight advancing directly to the knockout stage (Round of 16). Teams finishing from ninth to twenty-fourth will enter a playoff round to secure their place in the knockouts.
The knockout phase will follow the traditional format, featuring home-and-away matches leading up to the final, which is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Teams and Bombos
The draw will categorize teams into four bombos according to their UEFA coefficients, calculated from performances in European competitions over the past five years. Each bombo will have nine teams. The confirmed line-up for this season features illustrious clubs:
- Bombo 1: PSG (defending champion), Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona.
- Bombo 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético de Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge.
- Bombo 3: Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodø/Glimt, Olympique Marseille.
- Bombo 4: FC Copenhagen, AS Monaco, Galatasaray, Union SG, Athletic Bilbao, Newcastle United, Pafos FC, Kairat Almaty, Qarabag FK.
The Draw Process
The draw process will start with selecting teams from Bombo 1. A physical ball will be drawn, followed by a software selection for the others. Key rules govern these matchups:
- No team will face another from the same national federation.
- Each team will play four home and four away matches.
Timing and Viewing Options
The draw will take place at different times globally, providing several options for fans to tune in:
- Buenos Aires: 1:00 PM
- Colombia: 11:00 AM
- Miami: 12:00 PM
- Mexico City: 10:00 AM
- Madrid: 6:00 PM
As for viewing options, fans can enjoy the draw on various platforms depending on their region:
- Argentina: Fox Sports and Disney+
- Colombia: ESPN and Disney+
- Spain: Movistar Plus+
- Mexico: HBO Max, Fox Sports, Tubi, Caliente TV
- United States: CBS Sports Golazo Network, ViX by TUDN USA, and UEFA TV
Anticipation and Impact
With the draw just around the corner, the anticipation builds for both players and fans alike. The league format, while new to some, promises an engaging season where teams have multiple opportunities to showcase their talent. The format allows for a broader competition, where teams from various tiers can compete closely, always with the excitement of potential upsets.
The Champions League remains a symbol of excellence in football, and as clubs prepare for this season, fans worldwide remain eagerly engaged, hoping their teams can rise to the occasion and contend for the title.
In summary, the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League is shaping up to be another thrilling chapter in football history. With the draw coming soon and the tournament format offering fresh dynamics, supporters can look forward to an exciting season ahead.
