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When is the UEFA Champions League draw? Date, time for 2025/26 league phase procedure | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 20:24 GMT by Sporting News
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UEFA Champions League 2025‑26 Group‑Stage Draw Set for 12 July in Lisbon

UEFA has announced that the highly‑anticipated draw for the 2025‑26 Champions League group stage will take place on 12 July 2025 at 18:30 CET in Lisbon, Portugal. The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on UEFA.tv and across a network of partner broadcasters worldwide, will lock in the fixtures for Europe’s top 32 clubs as they begin the most prestigious club competition on 14 September 2025.

The Road to the Draw

The draw will involve the 32 clubs that have progressed through the qualifying and play‑off rounds that conclude on 25 July 2025. The 2024‑25 season’s winners—Real Madrid—will automatically occupy the top seed in Pot 1, along with the champion of the 2025–26 domestic league that is not already seeded. The remaining 31 teams will be seeded based on the UEFA club coefficient rankings, with teams from the same national association prohibited from being drawn together in the same group. The UEFA “draw rules” page on the official site provides a detailed look at the seeding pots and the procedure, ensuring transparency and fairness for all clubs.

What to Expect from the Draw

The draw will produce eight groups of four teams each. Each club will play six matches—two at home and two away—against the other three teams in its group. The top two clubs from each group will advance to the knockout phase, while the third‑place club will drop into the Europa League Round of 32. The format, which has been in place since 2008, remains a key element of the competition’s structure, offering a blend of group‑stage stability and knockout‑stage drama.

According to the UEFA website’s “Champions League Overview”, the group‑stage schedule runs from 14 September to 9 December 2025. Matches will be played on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the season, with each club receiving a minimum of three weeks between matches to recover and travel.

The Significance of the Date

The 12 July draw date follows a schedule that has become almost ceremonial over the years. The draw is usually held at the UEFA headquarters in Lisbon, a venue that has hosted numerous high‑profile sporting events. “We look forward to a spectacular draw that sets the stage for the competition,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, during a press briefing on the announcement. “It’s not just a logistical necessity; it’s a celebration of European football’s collective spirit.”

The draw ceremony will also feature a short program showcasing the champions of the previous season, as well as a retrospective of memorable moments from past finals. The official event will be live‑streamed and accompanied by an exclusive commentary team, providing fans with in‑depth insights into the significance of each matchup.

Broadcasting and Coverage

UEFA.tv will stream the entire draw in real time, with commentary available in multiple languages, ensuring that fans across the globe can follow the proceedings. Additionally, the draw will be televised on key partners such as ESPN, beIN Sports, and DAZN, guaranteeing widespread coverage. In the United States, the draw will be shown on ESPN and NBC Sports, while in the United Kingdom, BT Sport and Sky Sports will air the event.

The UEFA “Broadcasting Partners” page lists all regional broadcasters, giving fans a comprehensive guide on how to watch the draw from their own country. The draw’s live coverage will also include behind‑the‑scenes footage and interviews with club representatives, giving viewers a unique look at the emotion and excitement that surrounds the event.

The Aftermath: Group Stage Match‑Day 1

Once the groups are finalized, the first matchday on 14 September 2025 will feature some of the sport’s most iconic fixtures. Clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern München, Juventus, and Chelsea are already confirmed to be part of the group stage, while other clubs will be confirmed in the coming days. Each club will be tasked with securing enough points to either advance to the knockout stages or to salvage a place in the Europa League, making every group‑stage match critical.

The prize money structure for the 2025‑26 season has been released on UEFA’s website, with a participation reward of €30 million for each club in the group stage. Additionally, clubs will earn extra earnings for wins and draws, incentivizing competitive play from the very start.

Looking Ahead

The Champions League draw is more than a logistical exercise; it is a moment that fans, clubs, and pundits have come to anticipate with palpable excitement. The 12 July 2025 ceremony in Lisbon will not only determine who plays who but will also set the narrative for the entire season, influencing transfer strategies, managerial decisions, and fan expectations. Whether you’re a die‑hard supporter of your local team or a casual follower of European football, the draw provides a unique snapshot of the continent’s competitive landscape.

As UEFA prepares for the draw, the football world will be ready to witness the next chapter in the Champions League saga—where elite clubs converge in a battle for supremacy, and the thrill of group‑stage competition continues to captivate audiences worldwide.