Newcastle United were handed a brutally tough draw on their return to the Champions League after being dropped in group F with European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
The group draw for the final season of the competition in its current format, which took place in Monaco, also saw Manchester United drawn against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich in group A as well as Turkish champions Galatasaray, and new striker Rasmus Hojlund will also face his old side Copenhagen.
Arsenal will play Europa League champions Sevilla as well as PSV Eindhoven and Lens, while holders Manchester City will take on RB Leizpig, Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade in a relatively friendly-looking group.
Like Newcastle, Scottish champions Celtic were in pot four but had a potentially softer landing than the Magpies, with games against Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio.
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Champions League group stage draw LIVE
Champions League group stage draw in full
Man United drawn in same group as Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen
Reigning champions Man City to play RB Leipzig, Crvena Zvezda and Young Boys
Arsenal will face Sevilla, PSV and Lens in Group B
Newcastle in group of death with PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan
Celtic to take on Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio
Champions League 2023/24 draw: Groups, fixtures and full schedule
18:30 , Mike Jones
The Champions League draw is under way as the groups are made for the 2023/24 season.
Manchester United were drawn against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich in group A, and new striker Rasmus Hojlund will face his old side Copenhagen.
Arsenal will face Europa League champions Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven, while holders Manchester City take on RB Leizpig and Red Star Belgrade.
Champions League 2023/24 groups, fixtures and match dates
Champions League group stage draw
18:28 , Mike Jones
Here is the Champions League group stage draw in full:
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
Champions League group stage draw
18:19 , Mike Jones
What are the Champions League group stage dates?
Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023
Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023
Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023
Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023
Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023
Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023
Champions League group stage draw
18:17 , Mike Jones
Sarina Weigman dedicates her Women’s coach of the year award to Spanish team who won the World Cup and have had their achievements overshadowed by the Luis Rubiales controversy.
She said: “I’m very proud of the team and the staff it is very special what we have done and the FA who really supports us to perform.
“I am not into the statistics I am just trying to get better with the team and we have great staff and facilities, it is an environment where everyone can grow.
“I played in the 1988 World Cup, but as a player I did not play in any more the growth of the game is just incredible and I enjoy being part of it.
“It really hurts me as a coach [the Luis Rubiales controversy] and a mother of two daughters, the game has grown so much but there is a long way to go in society.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team, this team deserves to be celebrated and to be listened to.”
Champions League group stage draw
18:11 , Mike Jones
In the least surprising announcement of the night the Men’s player of the year award is given to Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Norway!
Champions League group stage draw
18:09 , Mike Jones
The Uefa Women’s player of the year award is presented to Aitana Bonmatí from Spain and Barcelona!
Champions League group stage draw
18:04 , Mike Jones
Sarina Wiegman wins the Women’s coach of the year award!
That’s fully deserved after she led England to the European Championship trophy and the World Cup final.
Champions League group stage draw
18:03 , Mike Jones
Now it’s time for the awards.
The first one is for Men’s coach of the year and unsurprisingly Pep Guardiola is given the honour following Manchester City’s treble winning season.
Champions League group stage draw
18:02 , Mike Jones
Brendan Rodgers will be rubbing his hands together looking at Group E.
Celtic, who were bundled out of the Champions League in the group stages last season will feel they have a real chance to get something out of the matches against Feyenoord and Lazio.
Atletico Madrid may prove stubborn opponents though.
Champions League group stage draw
18:00 , Mike Jones
Manchester United would have been sweating when they were drawn alongside Bayern Munich in Group A. It could have turned into a difficult group for them but Erik ten Hag will believe his men have the ability to defeat FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Manchester City will cruise through Group G and Arsenal will think that they can win Group B though their matches will be a little tricky.
Newcastle United have the most exciting group by a long way though. Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan all to come. Those away days will be incredible for the fans.
Champions League 2023/24 draw: Groups, fixtures and full schedule
17:55 , Mike Jones
The Champions League draw is under way as the groups are made for the 2023/24 season.
Manchester United were drawn against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich in group A, and new striker Rasmus Hojlund will face his old side Copenhagen.
Arsenal will face Europa League champions Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven, while holders Manchester City take on RB Leizpig and Red Star Belgrade.
Champions League 2023/24 groups, fixtures and full schedule
Champions League group stage draw
17:52 , Mike Jones
Here is the Champions League group stage draw in full:
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
Champions League group stage draw
17:52 , Mike Jones
RC Lens are automatically placed inf Group B with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Celtic have a favourable draw to be placed in Group E.
Finally, Royal Antwerp are placed in Group H.
17:50 , Mike Jones
Galatasaray get put in Group A alongside Manchester United, Bayern and FC Copenhagen. The Red Devils will be okay with this group.
Union Berlin are placed in Group C with Napoli, Braga and Real Madrid.
Swiss champions, Young Boys, complete Group G which features Manchester City.
Champions League group stage draw
17:47 , Mike Jones
Spain’s Real Sociedad get put in Group D to complete the first group.
Next out of the pot are Newcastle United, they are put in Group F with PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan. What a horrible group for Eddie Howe’s men to get out of.
Champions League group stage draw
17:45 , Mike Jones
Pot 4 is the final lot of teams and these are the clubs that make it up: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Royal Antwerp, RC Lens
Champions League group stage draw
17:43 , Mike Jones
This is how the groups are shaping up as it stands:
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven,
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga,
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg,
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio,
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan,
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade,
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk,
Champions League group stage draw
17:43 , Mike Jones
Benfica and Inter Milan will play FC Salzburg who are drawn into Group D while Lazio are automatically placed in Group E.
FC Copenhagen will face Bayern and Man Utd in Group A and Braga are placed in Group C alongside Real Madrid and Napoli.
Champions League group stage draw
17:40 , Mike Jones
PSV Eindhoven, the qualifiers who have just beaten Rangers, are out in Group B with Sevilla and Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is happy with this group so far.
AC Milan are put in Group F with Dortmund and PSG. That’s a tough group.
Champions League group stage draw
17:38 , Mike Jones
The champions of Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk, come out of Pot 3 first and go in Group H with Barcelona and Porto.
Joe Cole then pulls out Red Star Belgrade who for placed in Group G to face RB Leipzig and Manchester City.
Champions League group stage draw
17:35 , Mike Jones
This draw is rattling along nicely which is a good change of pace for a Uefa draw. Here are the teams coming out of Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Salzburg, AC Milan, Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, FC Copenhagen
Champions League group stage draw
17:34 , Mike Jones
Manchester City’s first opponents are RB Leipzig from the Bundesliga while last year’s runners-up Inter Milan get put in Group D.
Porto are placed in Group H with Barcelona and Real Madrid go in Group C.
Champions League group stage draw
17:32 , Mike Jones
Atletico Madrid can only be placed in either Group E or Group G. They’re slotted in alongside Feyenoord in Group E, that’s a decent start to the draw for them.
Manchester United get placed in Group A with Bayern Munich. That’ll be a tricky one for Erik ten Hag’s men.
Champions League group stage draw
17:30 , Mike Jones
Borussia Dortmund are drawn out first and can only put put into Groups E-H. The next ball out places them in Group F with PSG.
Joe Cole then pulls out Arsenal who are placed in Group B with Sevilla.
Champions League group stage draw
17:28 , Mike Jones
Pot 2 is going to be drawn immediately. These are the teams being featured: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal
Champions League group stage draw
17:26 , Mike Jones
The final three teams are pulled out of the pot.
Paris-Saint Germain are placed in Group F, Manchester City go in Group G and Barcelona are in Group H.
Champions League group stage draw
17:25 , Mike Jones
Napoli get put in Group C with the Portuguese champions Benfica placed in Group D.
Feyenoord, the Dutch league winners, are in Group E.
Champions League group stage draw
17:23 , Mike Jones
Okay then let’s do it.
Joe Cole picks out the first ball and draws Bayern Munich into Group A.
Next out of the bowl is Sevilla, the Europa League winners, they’re put in Group B.
Champions League group stage draw
17:21 , Mike Jones
These are the Pot 1 teams: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord
Champions League group stage draw
17:20 , Mike Jones
The draw for Pot 1 should take place shortly. Teams from the same domestic league cannot be drawn together.
Following the Pot 1 draw, there will likely be a break to hand out some awards or listen to a musical act before the next pot is drawn.
Champions League group stage draw
17:18 , Mike Jones
Here’s the main man! Giorgio Marchetti, Uefa’s Deputy General Secretary, comes out onto the stage to explain how the draw will work.
He oversees all the Uefa draws and makes sure they go off without a hitch.
Champions League group stage draw
17:15 , Mike Jones
Former Barcelona star Eric Abidal and ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole are welcomed onto the stage. They have a chat with Pedro Pinto about their memories of the Champions League and what it’s like to play at Wembley.
The Champions League final is going to be held there this season.
Champions League group stage draw
17:12 , Mike Jones
Before the Champions League draw is actually done there’s going to be some awards given out for the 2022/23 men’s & women’s player and coach of the year.
Here are the nominees:
Men’s player of the year: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Lionel Messi (PSG, now at Inter Miami).
Women’s player of the year: Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona), Olga Carmona (Real Madrid) and Sam Kerr (Chelsea).
Men’s coach of the year: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Simone Inzaghi (Inter) and Luciano Spalletti (Napoli).
Women’s coach of the year: Jonatan Giraldez (Barcelona), Jorge Vilda (Spain) and Sarina Wiegman (England).
Champions League group stage draw
17:08 , Mike Jones
The formalities of every Champions League draw continue as the two hosts, Pedro Pinto and Reshmin Chowdhury, introduce a VT showcasing highlights from last season’s campaign.
Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul.
A reminder of the four pots that will make up the draw
17:05 , Mike Jones
Here are all 32 teams involved in this Champions League draw and the pots that they will be drawn out of. The British teams are highlighted in bold.
Pot 1: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord
Pot 2: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal
Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Salzburg, AC Milan, Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, FC Copenhagen
Pot 4: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Royal Antwerp, RC Lens
Champions League group stage draw
17:03 , Mike Jones
The red carpet has been rolled out of tonight’s Champions League draw as it returns to Monaco after a three year absence. The hosts introduce the muscial act that will sing the Champions League anthem before the draw begins.
As usual with these Uefa draws, there’s pomp, ceremony and theatre before the actual draws take place.
Champions League group stage draw
16:57 , Mike Jones
Here are the thoughts of Owen Hargreaves speaking on TNT Sports:
“The Champions League draw is a beautiful thing. Just to see who you’re going to play against, maybe against somebody you looked up to as an idol.”
Which clubs have qualified?
16:54 , Mike Jones
There are 32 clubs qualified for the Champions League group stage:
England: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United
Spain: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla
Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin
Italy: Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan, Napoli
France: Lens, Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal: Benfica, Porto, Braga
Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV
Austria: Salzburg
Scotland: Celtic
Serbia: Red Star Belgrade
Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
Belgium: Antwerp
Switzerland: Young Boys
Turkey: Galatasaray
Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
How does the group stage draw work?
16:48 , Mike Jones
The 32 teams have been split into four seeding pots.
Pot 1 will consist of the holders, the Uefa Europa League winners and six domestic champions. Pots 2 to 4 are determined by the club coefficient rankings.
No team can play a side from their own association. Paired clubs from the same country will play on separate days. Any other restrictions will be announced ahead of the draw.
What is the group stage format?
16:42 , Mike Jones
You may have heard that the Champions League is undergoing a revamp and will be adding more clubs and adapting a new system to determine a winner.
That isn’t until next season though.
This year’s Champions League will have the usual format of 32 teams, split into eight groups of four who play each other home and away.
The two group winners advance into the round of 16, with the winners seeded and runners-up unseeded.
The third-placed team enter the Europa League play-off round, while the team who finishes bottom of the group is eliminated from European competition entirely.
Will Celtic perform better in Europe this year?
16:36 , Mike Jones
A winless group stage was harsh on a Celtic side that offered severe tests to Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk under Ange Postecoglou.
They retained their domestic title in swashbuckling style, scoring 114 goals in 38 games as part of their eighth domestic treble though Postecoglou has since moved to Tottenham.
Brendan Rodgers is back in charge of the Hoops for this campaign.
Newcastle back in the big time
16:30 , Mike Jones
Though they finished 11th in the Premier League the season before, Eddie Howe’s side rarely slipped out of the top four and only lost five games out of 38 as they booked a return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2002/03 campaign.
They also reached the League Cup final before losing to Manchester United. Backed by the vast coffers of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund how far can Eddie Howe’s men go?
Can Erik ten Hag take Manchester United to new heights?
16:24 , Mike Jones
Manchester United’s Europa League campaign appeared destined for glory until Sevilla’s magic saw off the Red Devils in the quarter-finals, but Erik ten Hag’s side had more luck in domestic cup competitions, winning the English League Cup and only falling at the final hurdle to rivals Man City in the FA Cup.
They returned to the top four in the Premier League, underpinned by some fine home form and will hope to go far in the Champions League this time around.
Arsenal return to Europe’s top flight
16:18 , Mike Jones
In 2022/23 Arsenal made their best ever start to a Premier League season and made all the running in the title race until being hunted down by a relentless Man City side at the business end.
The eventual champions also scuppered the Gunners’ FA Cup hopes in the fourth round, while their wait for more European silverware stretched to 29 years after being pipped on penalties by Sporting CP in the Europa League last 16.
Arsenal will enjoy being back in the Champions League having missed out on the European top-flight ever year since 2017.
Real Madrid aim for 15th title
16:12 , Mike Jones
A 5-2 triumph against Liverpool at Anfield in the round of 16 last season suggested Real Madrid were hitting their stride at the right time again, but a rampant Manchester City proved too strong in the semi-finals as Carlo Ancelotti’s men lost their European crown.
Though Barcelona got the better of them in La Liga, Madrid did at least end the season with silverware after scooping the Club World Cup and Copa del Rey.
Can Ancelotti take them to a historic 15th Champions League title this year?
Raheem Sterling misses out as Eddie Nketiah handed debut England squad call-up
16:06 , Mike Jones
Raheem Sterling has been omitted from the England squad while Eddie Nketiah was handed a first senior call-up by Gareth Southgate for the games against Ukraine and Scotland.
Sterling, who missed the summer internationals when he said he did not feel in the right condition to play, was a candidate for a recall after starting the season in fine form for Chelsea but Southgate preferred Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. Southgate said it was a tough phone call and Sterling was left annoyed to be omitted, revealing: “It was a difficult call and Raheem is not particularly happy about it.”
The England manager, who also chose Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and James Maddison ahead of Sterling, explained that he wanted to stick with the players he used for the June wins over Malta and North Macedonia.
Sterling misses out as Nketiah handed debut England squad call-up
Can Harry Kane win the Champions League with Bayern?
16:00 , Mike Jones
Last season Bayern Munich made it three group campaigns with maximum points in four years, an impressive feat given Barcelona and Inter were in their section, but they could not halt the Man City juggernaut in the last eight.
A shock defeat against Freiburg, also in the quarter-finals, of the German Cup threatened to leave them without silverware only for Thomas Tuchel’s men to snatch the Bundesliga title from Dortmund in the final minutes of a thrilling title climax.
With the addition of Harry Kane to their forward line can the German champions win more success on the European stage?
How will the Italian champions fare?
15:54 , Mike Jones
Napoli were almost untouchable until the end of March, storming way clear of the pack in Serie A and cruising through to the last eight of the Champions League under Luciano Spalletti.
Defeat to Milan in those quarter-finals put a slight dampener on proceedings but a first league title since the Diego Maradona-inspired 1990 vintage ensured their season ended on a high.
Can they replicate that form this season too?
Are Sevilla destined for another Europa League campaign?
15:48 , Mike Jones
Sevilla were just two points above the relegation zone when José Luis Mendilibar took the reins in March and the turnaround in their fortunes was marked.
They won six of their next eight LaLiga games to ensure top-flight safety, translating their upturn in domestic fortunes on to the European stage too.
Manchester United and Juventus were dispatched before they edged out Roma on penalties to seal a record-extending seventh Europa League title.
Can the Spaniards translate that success into a positive Champions League campaign or will they drop into the Europa League once again?
Will Barcelona reach the knockout rounds?
15:42 , Mike Jones
Barcelona failed to get out of the group stage for a second successive Champions League season last time out but had more success on the domestic front.
Xavi Hernández’s men overcame Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup and, though they suffered more European disappointment when knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United, eased to a first La Liga title for four years.
Will they make it out of the groups this time around?
Will Manchester City win the Champions League again?
15:36 , Mike Jones
Pep Guardiola’s side were eight points adrift of Arsenal at the start of April but won every Premier League game from that point until they wrapped up the title with two games to spare.
The FA Cup followed with victory against neighbours Manchester United before they wrote their name in history when they became the tenth side to complete a league, cup and European Cup treble with a 1-0 success over Inter in the Champions League final.
They qualified for the Champions League as current champions and will be one of the favourites to go on to win the title once again.
Manchester City make breakthrough in pursuit of Wolves’ Matheus Nunes
15:29 , Mike Jones
Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement with Wolves to buy midfielder Matheus Nunes for £47m.
The two clubs have settled on the fee – which is yet to be formally ratified – after City’s first offer for the Portugal international was rejected last week.
Nunes has refused to train with Wolves this week as he tried to force a move from Molineux and seems set to become City’s fourth summer signing before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the 25-year-old, who was sent off in what is set to prove his final game as a Wolves player, the 4-1 defeat by Brighton.
Manchester City make breakthrough in pursuit of Wolves’ Matheus Nunes
Which teams are in Pot 4?
15:22 , Mike Jones
Pot 4
BSC Young Boys (SUI)
Real Sociedad de Fútbol (ESP)
Galatasaray A.Å. (TUR)
Celtic FC (SCO)
Newcastle United FC (ENG) – K
1. FC Union Berlin (GER) – J
Royal Antwerp FC (BEL)
RC Lens (FRA) – F
Clubs paired from the same country will play on separate days and pairs can be made across different pots. For example Manchester City in Pot 1 are paired with Manchester United in Pot 2.
Which teams are in Pot 3?
15:16 , Mike Jones
Pot 3
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Salzburg (AUT)
AC Milan (ITA) – I
SC Braga (POR)
PSV Eindhoven (NED) – H
S.S. Lazio (ITA) – D
FK Crvena zvezda (SRB)
F.C. Copenhagen (DEN)
Clubs paired from the same country will play on separate days and pairs can be made across different pots. For example Manchester City in Pot 1 are paired with Manchester United in Pot 2.
Which teams are in Pot 2?
15:10 , Mike Jones
Pot 2
Real Madrid CF (ESP) – C
Manchester United (ENG) – A
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) – I
Borussia Dortmund (GER) – E
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) – B
RB Leipzig (GER) – J
FC Porto (POR) – G
Arsenal FC (ENG) – K
Clubs paired from the same country will play on separate days and pairs can be made across different pots. For example Manchester City in Pot 1 are paired with Manchester United in Pot 2.
Which teams are in Pot 1?
15:04 , Mike Jones
Pot 1
Manchester City (ENG) – pairing A
Sevilla FC (ESP) – B
FC Barcelona (ESP) – C
SSC Napoli (ITA) – D
FC Bayern München (GER) – E
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) – F
SL Benfica (POR) – G
Feyenoord (NED) – H
Clubs paired from the same country will play on separate days and pairs can be made across different pots. For example Manchester City in Pot 1 are paired with Manchester United in Pot 2.
Uefa boss says Luis Rubiales was ‘inappropriate’ but says Fifa will decide his future
14:57 , Mike Jones
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has described the behaviour of Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales as “inappropriate” – but called for Fifa’s investigation to be allowed to run its course.
Rubiales has refused to quit for kissing Spain player Jenni Hermoso after their World Cup final win over England on August 20.
All of Spain’s 23 World Cup winners, plus another 58 players, have said they will not represent their country until Rubiales has left his post.
Uefa boss: Rubiales was ‘inappropriate’ but says Fifa will decide his future
How does the group stage draw work?
14:49 , Mike Jones
The 32 teams have been split into four seeding pots.
Pot 1 will consist of the holders, the Uefa Europa League winners and six domestic champions. Pots 2 to 4 are determined by the club coefficient rankings.
No team can play a side from their own association. Paired clubs from the same country will play on separate days. Any other restrictions will be announced ahead of the draw.
What else happens during the draw ceremony?
14:43 , Mike Jones
The 2022/23 Uefa Men’s Player of the Year, Uefa Women’s Player of the Year, Uefa Men’s Coach of the Year and Uefa Women’s Coach of the Year awards will also be presented during the group stage draw ceremony.
The 2023 Uefa President’s Award will also be presented to Miroslav Klose by Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin.
Which European teams are playing in the Champions League?
14:35 , Mike Jones
The Premier League’s representatives this season will be Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.
There are five Spanish teams among the final 32, after Sevilla once again triumphed in the Europa League. They will line-up alongside compatriots Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Socieded who finished in the top four of La Liga.
Like England, Italy has four representatives in Serie A champions Napoli, runners-up Lazio as well as Inter Milan and AC Milan,
From Germany, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and first-time qualifiers Union Berlin will be in thr draw.
France have two teams taking part in Paris Saint-Germain and Lens who earned their place by finishing behind the champions in Ligue 1.
Benfica and Porto claimed Portugal’s two automatic places with Feyenoord, Red Bull Salzburg, Celtic, Red Star Belgrade and Shakhtar Donetsk all making it to the group stage by winning their national leagues.
Finally, following the conclusion of the play-off round on Wednesday night, six other teams made it through – Young Boys, Royal Antwerp, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray, PSV Eindhoven and Braga.
What is the group stage format?
14:26 , Mike Jones
You may have heard that the Champions League is undergoing a revamp and will be adding more clubs and adapting a new system to determine a winner.
That isn’t until next season though.
This year’s Champions League will have the usual format of 32 teams, split into eight groups of four who play each other home and away.
The two group winners advance into the round of 16, with the winners seeded and runners-up unseeded.
The third-placed team enter the Europa League play-off round, while the team who finishes bottom of the group is eliminated from European competition entirely.
Champions League group stage draw
14:18 , Mike Jones
The anticipation for this evening’s draw is building nicely with clubs making their fans aware that it’s happening today on social media:
What happens after the draw?
14:11 , Mike Jones
Fixtures will be confirmed after the draw, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the round of 16.
The third-placed sides in each group transfer to the Uefa Europa League knockout round play-offs, where they will face the Uefa Europa League group runners-up for places in the last 16.
Uefa calls added time rules ‘absurd’ and refuses to follow suit
14:03 , Mike Jones
The new stoppage-time rules that English football has enacted this season to avoid time wasting are “absurd” and will not be used in Uefa competitions, Zvonimir Boban, the European governing body’s chief of football, said on Wednesday.
Following Fifa’s approach at the men’s and women’s World Cups, England’s referees body said in July officials would add on the exact time lost to goal celebrations, substitutions and injuries.
The aim is to increase the time the ball is in play, with games now routinely going beyond 100 minutes in total.
Uefa calls added time rules ‘absurd’ and refuses to follow suit
How to watch on TV and online
13:55 , Mike Jones
The draw will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) for subscribing customers, and will be available on the TNT Sports app.
You can also live stream the draw for free on the Uefa website and YouTube channel.
What are the Champions League group stage dates?
13:48 , Mike Jones
Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023
Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023
Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023
Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023
Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023
Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023
Which clubs have qualified?
13:41 , Mike Jones
There are 32 clubs qualified for the Champions League group stage:
England: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United
Spain: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla
Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Union Berlin
Italy: Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan, Napoli
France: Lens, Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal: Benfica, Porto, Braga
Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV
Austria: Salzburg
Scotland: Celtic
Serbia: Red Star Belgrade
Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
Belgium: Antwerp
Switzerland: Young Boys
Turkey: Galatasaray
Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
When is the Champions League draw?
13:34 , Mike Jones
The draw for the group stage of the Champions League will take place in Monaco on Thursday 31 August, at 5pm BST.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Celtic will all discover their opponents this afternoon.
Champions League group stage draw
13:26 , Mike Jones
Hello! Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Champions League group stage draw.
Next season sees the Champions League undergo something of a revamp so the 2023/24 competition is the final one to take place under the current system.
Manchester City are the reigning Champions League winners and will look to defend their title this year as they target more success in Europe. Joining them from the Premier League are Arsenal (who finished second in the top-flight last season), Manchester United (third) and Newcastle (fourth).
The clubs will today learn who they’ll be facing in the group stages and how difficult a task it will be to progress to the knockout rounds.
The group stage draw is taking place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and is scheduled to start at 5pm BST or 6pm in Europe. We’ll have some build-up before then and explain how the draw itself works before it takes place and all the teams are drawn from the pots.
