Celtic supporters now know the key dates that could shape next season’s Champions League campaign after UEFA confirmed the full 2026/27 calendar.
The competition will be the third campaign played under the league phase format, with qualifying beginning in July 2026 and the final taking place on 5 June 2027.
While attention remains on the current campaign, UEFA has already published the calendar for next season’s tournament, including draw dates, league phase fixtures and the knockout schedule.
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How does qualification for the 2026/27 Champions League work?
The competition officially gets underway with the first qualifying round on 7 and 8 July 2026, with return fixtures taking place a week later.
UEFA has confirmed that 29 clubs will qualify directly for the league phase, while the remaining seven places will be decided through qualifying rounds and August’s play-offs.
The qualifying process concludes with the play-off round, which is scheduled for 18/19 August and 25/26 August.
As Scottish champions, Celtic are expected to be involved in the battle for a place in the league phase, making August a crucial month in the club’s European calendar.
What are the key Champions League dates for Celtic?
Before then, UEFA has scheduled the Champions League play-off draw for 3 August 2026. The two-legged play-off round is due to take place on 18/19 August and 25/26 August.
Should Celtic progress, the league phase draw will take place on 27 August 2026.
The league phase match schedule is as follows:
- Matchday 1: 8–10 September 2026
- Matchday 2: 13/14 October 2026
- Matchday 3: 20/21 October 2026
- Matchday 4: 3/4 November 2026
- Matchday 5: 24/25 November 2026
- Matchday 6: 8/9 December 2026
- Matchday 7: 19/20 January 2027
- Matchday 8: 27 January 2027
When do the knockout rounds take place?
The knockout phase play-offs are scheduled for 16/17 February and 23/24 February 2027.
The round of 16 follows in March, while the quarter-finals take place in April. The semi-finals are scheduled across late April and early May.
The competition then concludes with the final in Madrid on 5 June 2027.
Where is the 2027 Champions League final being played?
The 2026/27 Champions League final will be held at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday 5 June 2027.
The home of Atletico Madrid previously hosted the 2019 final, when Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to lift the trophy.
As well as lifting European football’s most prestigious club prize, the winners will secure a place in the 2027/28 Champions League league phase if required and earn the right to compete in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup.
With UEFA’s calendar now confirmed, Celtic supporters can already mark the major dates in the diary as another Champions League campaign edges closer.
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