Champions League draw to decide rivals for Galatasaray as Fenerbahce eyes group spot
Sebastian Szymanski (R) and Nelson Semedo (L) of Fenerbahce compete during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second-leg football match between Fenerbahce and Feyenoord at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye, August 12, 2025. (AA Photo)
August 27, 2025 04:17 PM GMT+03:00
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase draw will take place in Monaco Thursday at 7 p.m. (Türkiye local time), with last year’s procedure set to apply and the full fixture list due by Aug. 30.
What does 'league phase mean this season?
UEFA’s opening round will feature 36 clubs divided into four seeding pots based on club coefficients. Each team will face eight opponents in total—two from each pot—playing one home and one away match against them.
Galatasaray to learn its path, Fenerbahce to play for a spot
Galatasaray will discover its eight league-phase opponents, meeting two teams from every pot, with one tie at RAMS Park and the other away from home in each case.
Fenerbahce, after a 0-0 first leg at home, visits Benfica tonight at 10 p.m.; if it goes through, it will secure a place in the league phase.
Thirty-two of the 36 league-phase places are confirmed. The remaining four slots will be decided after tonight’s play-off ties.
Confirmed entrants by country
- England (6): Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, 2024/25 UEFA Europa League champions Tottenham
- Spain (5): Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal
- Italy (4): Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
- Germany (4): Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund
- France (3): 2024/25 UEFA Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Marseille, Monaco
- Netherlands (2): PSV, Ajax
- Portugal (1): Sporting
- Belgium (1): Union Saint-Gilloise
- Türkiye (1): Galatasaray
- Czechia (1): Slavia Prague
- Greece (1): Olympiacos
- Norway (1): Bodo Glimt
- Kazakhstan (1): Kairat
- Cyprus (Greek Cypriot Administration) (1): Pafos
Matchweeks at a glance
Matchdays are scheduled for:
- Sept. 16-18
- Sept. 30–Oct. 1
- Oct. 21-22
- Nov. 4-5
- Nov. 25–26
- Dec. 9–10
- Jan. 20–21
- Jan. 28
Knockout calendar and final venue
UEFA has confirmed the knockout stage calendar for 2026, culminating with the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena.
- Round of 16 playoffs: Feb. 17–18 and 24–25, 2026
- Round of 16: March 10–11 and 17–18, 2026
- Quarterfinals: April 7–8 and 14–15, 2026
- Semifinals: April 28-29 and May 5–6, 2026
- Final: May 30, 2026
August 27, 2025 04:17 PM GMT+03:00
Newsletters
2 min read
