2026/27 Champions League playoff round draw: Fixtures, teams and schedule for final qualifying stage

Although the third qualifying round of the 2026/27 Champions League has yet to begin, UEFA has already held the draw for the playoff round, the final stage of qualification that will determine the last seven clubs to take part in this season’s 36-team league phase. By the end of the 2025/26 campaign, 29 clubs had already booked their spots, leaving teams from across Europe scrambling to claim the remaining seven berths. The first of four qualifying rounds began all the way back on July 7, nearly two weeks before the 2026 World Cup final. Kairat of Kazakhstan, who hosted Real Madrid in last season’s league phase, and Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia, who have previously played in the Champions League group stage, were among the teams taking part and remain in contention as the third qualifying round gets underway this week.