The 2026–27 UEFA Champions League league phase runs from 8 September 2026 to 27 January 2027, with 36 teams battling for 24 spots in the knockout phase. This season features historic debuts for Como, LASK, Sabah, and Viking, while Real Betis returns for the first time since 2005-06, and Norway has two clubs in the main stage for the first time since 1999-2000. In the new format, each team plays eight matches (four home, four away) against eight different opponents, with the top eight earning a direct bye to the round of 16, teams ranked 9th–24th entering the play-offs, and the bottom 12 being eliminated. The draw was held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on 27 August 2026, with Thierry Henry and David Villa as drawing guests, and the fixture list was released two days later to avoid clashes with other UEFA competitions. Matches are spread across eight matchdays from September 2026 through January 2027, culminating in a dramatic final league-phase matchday on 27 January 2027.