2026-27 Champions League: A comprehensive guide to the qualifying rounds

The 2026–27 Champions League campaign began on July 7, launching the annual qualifying marathon that determines the final entrants for Europe’s top competition. Twenty‑eight clubs opened the first round across 14 ties, with return legs scheduled for July 14 and 15. Fourteen winners will advance to the second round, where they join 14 new entrants and split into the Champions Path for domestic titleholders and the League Path for four additional contenders, including Fenerbahce, Hearts, Sturm Graz and Gornik Zabrze.

The third round follows on August 4–5 and August 11, featuring six League Path heavyweights, Lyon, Union Saint‑Gilloise, Bodo/Glimt, NEC, Sparta Praha and Olympiacos, awaiting two qualifiers, while 12 Champions Path clubs battle for six spots. The decisive play‑off round on August 18–19 and August 25–26 will determine the final seven qualifiers. With stakes rising at every stage, Europe’s hopefuls now begin the long climb toward the league phase.