The stage is set for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League as UEFA has officially confirmed the pots for this season’s draw following the completion of Wednesday’s playoffs.

For the second time in history, the competition will follow the new league-phase format, with 36 teams competing in a single league table instead of the traditional group stage.

The draw will take place on Thursday at 5 pm UK time, with fixtures kicking off between September 16 and 18. The league phase will run until January 28, 2026, with all 18 final-day matches played simultaneously.

Fans can already mark their calendars for the grand finale, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

Here’s how the pots look:

Pot 1: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Internazionale, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona.

Pot 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge.

Pot 3: Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodo/Glimt, Marseille.

Pot 4: FC København, AS Monaco, Galatasaray, Union Saint-Gilloise, FK Qarabag, Athletic Club, Newcastle United, Pafos, Kairat Almaty.

Reserve: Fenerbahce.

With giants like Real Madrid, Bayern, and City in Pot 1, and dangerous challengers such as Arsenal, Juventus, Napoli, and Galatasaray across the other pots, football fans can expect blockbuster clashes right from the start.

The excitement is building — and with the new format, every match counts more than ever.