Football fans worldwide are gearing up for another thrilling season of the UEFA Champions League, with the draw for the league phase officially set for Thursday at 5pm UK time.

Following the completion of the playoff rounds on Wednesday, UEFA confirmed the pots for the new format — the second time in history that the tournament will run under the 36-team Swiss-style league system.

The fresh structure means every team will be part of a single league table, with each side playing eight different opponents. The first round of fixtures will be held between September 16–18, while the league phase wraps up on January 28, with all matches kicking off simultaneously. The grand finale is scheduled for May 30 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

The Pots in Full:

POT 1: PSG, Real Madrid, Man City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter, Chelsea, Dortmund, Barcelona
POT 2: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge
POT 3: Tottenham, PSV, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodo/Glimt, Marseille
POT 4: København, Monaco, Galatasaray, Union SG, Qarabag, Athletic Club, Newcastle United, Pafos, Kairat Almaty
Reserve: Fenerbahce

Opinion: A Season Set for Fireworks

Looking at the pots, one thing is clear: there are no easy rides this season. With giants like Real Madrid, City, Bayern, and PSG headlining Pot 1, and exciting teams like Arsenal, Leverkusen, and Atlético Madrid lurking in Pot 2, the clash of styles and talent promises breathtaking football from day one.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this new format is how it eliminates predictability. Gone are the days of routine group stages where the giants strolled through — now, every fixture matters, and surprises are bound to happen. Clubs like Newcastle United and Galatasaray in Pot 4 are dark horses that no big team will want to face. Meanwhile, Napoli, Tottenham, and Ajax in Pot 3 add even more spice to the draw.

The Champions League has always been about magic nights, shocking upsets, and unforgettable moments. This new structure could either elevate the drama or overwhelm fans with its complexity — but if there’s one thing football has taught us, it’s that unpredictability is what keeps us glued.

With the Puskas Arena set to host the final, could we be in for a fairytale ending? Perhaps a Leverkusen or Newcastle breaking through? Or will the usual giants — Madrid, City, or Bayern — tighten their grip on Europe once again?

One thing is certain: this season’s Champions League will be a feast for lovers of the beautiful game.