Champions League Draw Preview. How to watch in UK?
The highly anticipated 2025/26 UEFA Champions League draw is set to redefine the landscape of European club football.
With a revamped format in its second year, this afternoon's draw will set the stage for a new season of high-stakes competition.
For English football fans, the excitement is palpable, with six of the country's top clubs awaiting their fate.
Understanding the New Format
Gone are the traditional group stages. The new system features a single 36-team league phase where each club will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against eight different opponents. The draw will determine these opponents, with teams being paired with two clubs from each of the four seeding pots.
At the end of the league phase in January, the top eight teams will secure automatic spots in the Round of 16. Clubs finishing from ninth to 24th will face a play-off to advance, while the bottom eight will be eliminated. This new, intricate format promises to deliver more competitive matches and drama throughout the early stages of the tournament. The entire draw process is handled by a "supercomputer," ensuring fair and randomized pairings.
English Clubs and Their Seeding
England's record-breaking six representatives are spread across the seeding pots, making for a fascinating draw.
Pot 1: Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are among the European elite in Pot 1, alongside powerhouses like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Pot 2: Arsenal will be looking for a favorable draw from this second tier.
Pot 3: North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in Pot 3.
Pot 4: Newcastle United, the final English team in the competition, are positioned in the fourth pot, potentially facing a daunting run of fixtures.
Key Dates and How to Watch
The action begins on Thursday, August 28, with the draw kicking off at 5 PM UK time. You can watch it live on UEFA's official website or tune into TNT Sports for broadcast coverage.
The league phase matches will take place from September to January on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, promising a packed calendar of top-tier football. The first matchday is scheduled for September 16-18, with the final fixtures of the league phase all set for January 28, building a months-long narrative before the knockout rounds even begin.
