Champions League 2026-2027: The 36 qualifiers known after the playoffs

The draw for the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League is scheduled for this Thursday with the 36 teams qualified for this new edition of Europe's premier club competition. After the return legs of the playoffs on Tuesday, four spots remain to be filled this Wednesday, including the match between Olympique Lyonnais and Fenerbahçe. PSG, Lens, and Lille are among the French clubs already qualified for the group stage.

A draw for the group stage

The draw ceremony for the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League will take place this Thursday, officially kicking off the group stage. The 36 qualified teams after the playoffs will be distributed into different pots to determine the opponents for the first matchday. Among them, several French clubs have already secured their place, including PSG, Lens, and Lille. The competition promises to be particularly challenging this season, with historic clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and FC Barcelona already qualified. Fans will be able to discover the groups during an evening broadcast live on specialized channels.

Four spots still up for grabs this Wednesday

Four tickets remain to be decided this Wednesday following the return legs of the playoffs. One of the decisive matches pits Olympique Lyonnais against Fenerbahçe, a clash that could decide which of the two clubs advances to the group stage. The other playoff matches concluded on Tuesday, allowing most teams to secure their qualification. The clubs still in contention for these final spots will need to give their all in these decisive matches. Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League represents a major financial and sporting opportunity for European clubs, with increased television rights and international visibility. Celtic, for example, is banking on players like Duran and Nygren to reach the group stage.

A competition evolving for 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 edition of the UEFA Champions League introduces a new format with 36 teams instead of the previous 32. The clubs will be divided into four pots of nine teams, and each team will play eight group-stage matches instead of six. This reform aims to provide more matches and enhance the competition's appeal. French clubs, such as Monaco or Marseille, hope to take advantage of this new format to shine on the European stage. Fans will be able to follow the matches starting in September, with the group stage spread over several weeks.