The commencement of a new football season in Europe also means an opportunity for the continent's finest teams to contest for one of the biggest trophies in world football - the Champions League. The 2020/2021 edition of the competition is just around the corner and it will only take a draw for fans to know the number of mouthwatering Group Stage fixtures to look forward to.
On Wednesday, the last of the spots from the qualifying round playoffs were successfully clinched by RB Salzburg, FC Midtjylland and FC Krasnodar with the likes of Dynamo Kyiv, Ferencvaros and Olympiacos securing their place a fortnight ago. On Thursday, 1 October, the fate of these clubs, alongside 26 others will be determined at the RTS studios in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year, Spain had the most contingents in Pot 1, with both Real Madrid and Sevilla representing as a result of their respective successes in La Liga and the Europa League last season. It will also be interesting to note the pairings to be expected as Pot 2 boasts a number of former champions and heavyweights in world football at the moment.
If last season's campaign taught us anything, it is that the most unlikeliest candidates can make strong cases as far as this competition is concerned. As a result, the aura of upset from prospective dark horses in Pot 3 and 4 bears mentioning, with RB Leipzig, Inter Milan and Atalanta all featuring in the mix.
Here's all you need to know about the UEFA Champions League draw for the 2019-20 season.
When and where is the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw being held?
On Thursday, 1 October, 2020 at the RTS studios in Geneva, Switzerland.
What time is the draw?
The draw is scheduled to begin at 17:00 CET/15:00 GMT.
Which clubs are participating in the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League?
Spain (4): Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla
England (4): Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea
Italy (4): Juventus, Inter, Atalanta, Lazio
Germany (4): Bayern, Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Mönchengladbach
France (3): Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Rennes
Russia (3): Zenit, Lokomotiv Moskva, Krasnodar Ukraine (2): Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv
Portugal (1): Porto
Belgium (1): Club Brugge
Turkey (1): İstanbul Başakşehir
Netherlands (1): Ajax
Greece (1): Olympiacos
Hungary (1): Ferencváros
Denmark (1): Midtjylland
Austria (1): Salzburg
What are the pots?
-
Pot 1: Bayern, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Juventus, Paris, Zenith, Porto
-
Port 2: Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, Shaktar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Ajax
-
Port 3 or 4: Dynamo Kyiv, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan, Olympiacos, Lazio, Atalanta, Lokomotiv Moskva, Marseille, Club Brugge, Mönchengladbach, İstanbul Başakşehir, Rennes, Ferencváros, Krasnodar, Midtjylland, Salzburg.
What are the rules for the draw?
Only one team from each pot will be placed in one group. Also, two teams from the same league cannot be put in the same league.
Match dates
-
Matchday 1: 20/21 October
-
Matchday 2: 27/28 October
-
Matchday 3: 3/4 November
-
Matchday 4: 24/25 November
-
Matchday 5: 1/2 December
-
Matchday 6: 8/9 December
Where can I watch the 2019-29 UEFA Champions League draw live?
Match details, result and original broadcast info
UEFA Champions League: Group Stage Draw
October 1, 2020 11:30amNyon, SwitzerlandThis match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
