The return of the UEFA Champions League is one of the most anticipated moments in the early football season.
With the 2025/26 season now underway, Paris Saint-Germain will defend their European crown against would-be challengers Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and many other hopefuls from all across the continent.
In the second season of the expanded competition, UEFA will solidify the matchups across the league phase as teams jockey for a knockout-stage spot.
Each club will play eight games, with four home and four away, matched up against two opponents from each of the four pots. Securing three points for a win and one point for a draw, the 32 league-phase participants hope to finish amongst the top 24 in the standings and secure a knockout-stage berth, with the top eight earning a bye to the Round of 16.
The Sporting News details when the draw will take place and where it can be viewed live as the teams are drawn.
MORE: Champions League playoff draw and match dates
When is the UEFA Champions League draw?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League draw will take place Thursday, August 28 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Proceedings will begin at 6 p.m. local time. That translates to the following times across many territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Thu, Aug. 28 | 12 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Thu, Aug. 28 | 9 a.m. PT |
| UK | Thu, Aug. 28 | 5 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Fri, Aug. 29 | 2 a.m. AEST |
| India | Thu, Aug. 28 | 9:30 p.m. IST |
How to watch the UEFA Champions League draw
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Paramount+ |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | TNT Sports | discovery+ |
| Australia | — | — |
| India | — | — |