UEFA Conference League Draw 2026: Date, Seedings, New Format, And Stream Details
European football turns its attention to Monaco as the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League draw approaches following the conclusion of the play-off round. With 36 clubs competing in a single-league table, the upcoming draw will set the stage for six matchdays across the autumn calendar.
| Key Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026/27 UEFA Conference League Draw |
| Scheduled Date | Friday, August 28, 2026 |
| Location | Grimaldi Forum, Monaco |
| Participating Teams | 36 Clubs |
| Format | Single League Phase (6 matches per team) |
| Live Stream | UEFA.tv / Regional Rights Holders |
Modernized League Phase Format: How the 36-Team Draw Works
The 2026/27 Conference League season continues with UEFA's expanded 36-team format, completely eliminating the traditional four-team group stage. Teams no longer face three opponents home and away; instead, each club meets six different opponents across six matchdays (three home, three away).
To ensure competitive balance and administrative efficiency, the draw utilizes an automated digital system supported by physical pot selections:
- Six Seeding Pots: All 36 qualified clubs are divided into six distinct pots based on their official UEFA club coefficients.
- Automated Opponent Selection: Each team is paired against one opponent from each of the six pots.
- Home and Away Balance: The software automatically determines three home fixtures and three away fixtures for every participant.
- Country Protection: Clubs cannot be drawn against teams from their own domestic association during the league phase, and no club can face more than two teams from the same foreign association.
How to Watch, Live Stream, and Key Broadcast Access
Fans across the globe can watch the Conference League draw live as it happens in Monaco. UEFA provides comprehensive, non-geo-blocked live video coverage directly through its official platforms.
- Official Web Stream: Live coverage streams free on UEFA.tv and the official UEFA Conference League website starting at 14:00 CEST.
- Regional Television Rights: In the UK, TNT Sports will broadcast the ceremony live, while Paramount+ holds exclusive English-language rights in the United States.
- Digital Live Blogs: Real-time software outputs and confirmed fixture lists will publish instantly on UEFA's digital match center.
Conference League draw: Chelsea find out League Phase opponents ...
The Path to Europe's Final: Schedule and Qualification Rules
Following the conclusion of the Conference League draw, UEFA will release the finalized fixture dates and kickoff times within 24 to 48 hours to prevent scheduling conflicts with Europa League and Champions League matches.
The competition schedule leads directly toward the knockout phases:
- Matchday 1: October 1–2, 2026
- Matchday 6 (Final Round): December 17, 2026
- Knockout Play-offs: February 11 and February 18, 2027
- Round of 16: March 4 and March 11, 2027
- Quarter-finals: April 8 and April 15, 2027
- Semi-finals: April 29 and May 6, 2027
- Conference League Final: May 26, 2027
Finishing positions in the 36-team table dictate each club's postseason fate. The top eight clubs qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th through 24th enter a two-legged knockout play-off. Clubs finishing 25th or lower are eliminated entirely, with no parachutes to or from other European tournaments.
