When is Champions League group stage draw? UK start time, pots and qualified teams
Manchester City will again be among the favourites after finally winning the competition last season, as manager Pep Guardiola ended his own drought. Perennial winners Real Madrid can never be ruled out and Bayern Munich will fancy their chances after spending more than £100million on Harry Kane.
Arsenal are back at Europe’s top table after seven seasons away, and have been tipped for a deep run, and Newcastle are gatecrashers this year after a two-decade-long absence.
But so much depends on how the group stage is mapped out. Here’s all you need to know about the draw…
When is the Champions League group stage draw?
The draw will take place on Thursday, August 31, 2023, starting at 5pm BST.
Have the pots been decided?
There are still six teams to be decided with the final play-off games the night before the draw, and both Real Sociedad and Celtic could move depending on the outcome of those ties.
This is how they currently look.
Pot 1: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord
Pot 2: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal
Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, Real Sociedad*, Celtic*, tbc
Pot 4: Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Lens, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc, tbc
How can I watch the Champions League group stage draw?
TV channel: The draw will be broadcast live on TNT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 4.45pm BST..
Live stream: TNT Sport subscribers can watch the draw via the app or website, while the draw will also be broadcast for free via Uefa’s YouTube and social media channels.
When will the Champions League group stage games be played?
Matchday 1: 19/20 September
Matchday 2: 3/4 October
Matchday 3: 24/25 October
Matchday 4: 7/8 November
Matchday 5: 28/29 November
Matchday 6: 12/13 December
