Borussia Dortmund are in the hat for tomorrow's draw for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League. Courtesy of a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga last term, the BVB automatically qualified for this edition of the tournament and are guaranteed a place in the league phase of the new format.
The upcoming season will be their 21st in Europe's premier club competition, which they have won just once in history back in 1997. Twice the side reached the finals but lost, with Bayern Munich ending their hopes in the 2013 showpiece clash before Real Madrid inflicted a similar heartbreak in 2024. Interestingly, both defeats came at London's iconic Wembley stadium too.
With a squad revitalized following some exciting new signings, Niko Kovac's side are among the top underdogs at the tournament as Die Borussen aim to make a deep run following the disappointment of an early, preliminary knockout round exit last time out.
When is the UCL draw?
The draw for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League takes place on Thursday, 27 August in Monaco, at 5pm UK time.
How many teams are in the UCL draw?
Since the Champions League format changed in 2024-25 season, the competition expanded from 34 to 36 teams while the traditional group stages - eight groups of four teams - were replaced with a league phase where all 36 qualified teams will be ranked in a single bracket.
How could Dortmund face in the League Phase?
On account of finishing second in the Bundesliga last season, the BVB have been drawn in Pot 2 and will draw two sides each from Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3 and Pot 4.
Pot 1 consists of reigning European champions and winners of Europe's top five leagues among others based on UEFA club coefficient rankings.
However, Dortmund won't be drawing any team from the Bundesliga in this round according to the rules.
Pot 1, 2 and 3 have been confirmed, while Pot 4 shall be decided later tonight after the last round of qualifying fixtures.
How can Dortmund reach the knockout stages?
Finishing inside top eight places of the league table would see Borussia Dortmund automatically seal a place in the Round of 16.
The sides finishing between 9th and 24th would go into the knockout round playoffs, where the BVB went into last season.
Just three wins in eight saw Kovac's team come in at 17th place on the table and drew Atalanta, who overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to win 4-1 at home and advance in the last-16 4-3 on aggregate.
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