2026/27 UEFA Champions League: Key Dates for League and Knockout Phases

The UEFA Champions League, one of the most prestigious trophies in club soccer, is set to begin its league phase on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. This marks the start of the main competition after the qualifying rounds have concluded, with 36 teams battling to secure one of the 24 spots in the knockout stage.

The opening matchweek will take place over three days — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — following the recent format changes. Subsequent rounds will see matches scheduled on Tuesdays or Wednesdays only.

League Phase Schedule for 2026/27 UEFA Champions League

• Matchweek 1: September 8-10, 2026
• Matchweek 2: October 13-14, 2026
• Matchweek 3: October 20-21, 2026
• Matchweek 4: November 3-4, 2026
• Matchweek 5: November 24-25, 2026
• Matchweek 6: December 8-9, 2026
• Matchweek 7: January 19-20, 2027
• Matchweek 8: January 27, 2027

Each club will play eight matches during the league phase. The final round’s games are all scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2027, ensuring no team gains a timing advantage.

Details on the Knockout Stage

The knockout rounds kick off with the playoff round on February 16, 2027. The top eight teams from the league phase advance directly to the Round of 16, which begins March 9, 2027.

Two draws will shape the knockout matchups: the first on January 29, 2027, for the playoff round bracket, and the second on February 26, 2027, to set the Round of 16 fixtures.

Knockout Round Dates for 2026/27 UEFA Champions League

• Knockout playoff draw: January 29, 2027
• Knockout playoff first leg: February 16-17, 2027
• Knockout playoff second leg: February 23-24, 2027
• Round of 16 draw: February 26, 2027
• Round of 16 first leg: March 9-10, 2027
• Round of 16 second leg: March 16-17, 2027
• Quarterfinals first leg: April 6-7, 2027
• Quarterfinals second leg: April 13-14, 2027
• Semifinals first leg: April 27-28, 2027
• Semifinals second leg: May 4-5, 2027
• Final match: June 5, 2027

The Final Venue

The grand finale of the 2027 UEFA Champions League will be held at Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium, home ground of Atletico Madrid, on Saturday, June 5, 2027.

Additional Notes

French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain enters this season aiming for a rare third consecutive title, a feat accomplished by only three clubs in Champions League history. The official draw for the league phase will take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, determining the fixtures for the upcoming matches.