The Champions League draw story starts with the top band. Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal are all in pot one for the 2026-27 league phase draw, alongside clubs including Paris Saint Germain. The draw takes place on Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST in Monaco, and while the headline names are already well placed, the lower pots still carry the real uncertainty.
Pot one already has a strong English shape
BBC Sport summed up the key point neatly: "English sides Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all feature in pot one."
That gives the draw an obvious top-end theme before a ball is even pulled. Three English clubs are in the highest band, and Arsenal have the strongest recent case of the trio after finishing first in last season's league phase with eight wins from eight. Liverpool were third in that same stage, while City finished eighth.
Those positions do not settle the whole draw, but they do explain why pot one has such a heavy English feel. Add Paris Saint Germain to that group and the top band looks loaded before the rest of the field is even sorted.
The format also keeps the seeding significant. A total of 36 teams enter the league phase, so landing in the top pot is hardly a minor detail when the field is that deep.
The pressure sits further down the draw
BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team also confirmed the key date and venue: "The league phase draw for the 2026-27 Champions League campaign takes place on Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST in Monaco."
Once it starts, each team will be assigned eight league-phase matches, four at home and four away. The structure is simple enough on that part. Finishing in the top eight sends a club straight into the round of 16, teams placed from ninth to 24th move into the play-off knockout round, and those from 25th to 36th are out.
That is why the unresolved places lower down the seeding matter more than the headline pot one names. The final spots in pot three and pot four are still contested, so the most volatile part of the draw has not been locked in yet. Pot one gives the guide its biggest names, but the jeopardy sits further down because those unfinished qualifying ties can still change the shape of the matchups.
There is also a wider English angle beyond the top three. Aston Villa and Manchester United are back in the competition after missing last term, which adds another layer to a league phase that already looks crowded.
By 17:00 BST on Thursday, 27 August, the 36-team lineup in Monaco will finally be sorted into four pots and the 2026-27 league phase schedule can take shape.
FAQ
Why are Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal all in pot one for the Champions League draw?
They are all placed in pot one for the 2026-27 Champions League league phase draw. The recent league-phase standings help explain that seeding: Arsenal finished first last season, Liverpool were third and Manchester City were eighth.
When is the 2026-27 Champions League league phase draw?
The draw takes place on Thursday, 27 August at 17:00 BST in Monaco. It will set the 36-team league phase, with clubs split into four pots before each side is assigned eight matches.
How does the new Champions League league phase work?
A total of 36 teams enter the league phase and each team plays eight matches, four at home and four away. The top eight go straight into the round of 16, teams from ninth to 24th enter the play-off knockout round, and those finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated.
Are all the Champions League pots already confirmed?
No. Pot one includes Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain, but the final places in pot three and pot four are still being decided through qualifying ties. That unsettled lower end is where a lot of the draw's jeopardy sits.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
