2021/2022 Champions League group stage draw: date, times, TV and how to watch
All the information you need on how to follow the draw for the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage draw live from Istanbul.
The eyes of the footballing world will be firmly fixed on Istanbul on Thursday 26 August as the draw for the group stage of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League will be held.
32 participating sides will discover their group stage opposition in a gala event where a series of Player and Coach of the Year awards will also be presented.
Follow UEFA Champions League 21/22 draw live online: group stages & pairings.
Teams/Pots in the group stage
The 32 teams in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage consists of 26 automatic qualifiers joined by six play-off winners.
Pot One:
Chelsea (holders)
Bayern Munich
Manchester City
Atlético Madrid
Villarreal (Europa League winners)
Inter Milan
Sporting CP
Lille
Pot Two:
Real Madrid
Barcelona
Juventus
Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain
Liverpool
Sevilla
Borussia Dortmund
Pot Three:
FC Porto
Ajax
RB Leipzig
Atalanta
Zenit Saint Petersburg
Benfica
RB Salzburg
Shakhtar Donetsk
Pot Four:
AC Milan
Club Brugge
Wolfsburg
Young Boys
Malmö
Beşiktaş
Dynamo Kiev
Sheriff Tiraspol
Champions League 2021/22 schedule:
Matchday 1: 14/15 September
Matchday 2: 28/29 September
Matchday 3: 19/20 October
Matchday 4: 2/3 November
Matchday 5: 23/24 November
Matchday 6: 7/8 December
What time does the Champions League group stage draw start?
The balls will be drawn for the 2021/22 Champions League group stage draw on Thursday 26 August at 18:00 (CEST) as part of a UEFA gala event that will also see a series of UEFA awards announced.
Find out what time the Champions League group stage draw kicks off where you are in the world.
US times: New York 12:00, Dallas 11:00, Los Angeles: 09:00
Where can I watch the draw?
In Spain the draw will be shown live on Movistar Liga de Campeones and Gol with UEFA TV set to stream the event. Fans in the US can follow the draw via Fubo TV and Paramount +.
Is the Champions League draw available online?
The draw is available in most nations through the rights holders' online platform, if they have one. Your best bet is to check who is showing the game in your country, and if they have an online service or iOS/Android app to watch it on.
The Champions League draw live on AS English
Follow every pot and ball drawn from Istanbul with our very own inimitable live coverage, minute by minute, right here on AS English.