Galatasaray and Fenerbahce learn Champions League rivals
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce will face some of Europe's biggest clubs in the 2026-27 Champions League league phase after Thursday's draw in Monaco.
Turkish champions Galatasaray were drawn against Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, Sporting, Feyenoord, Lille, Stuttgart and AEK Athens.
Fenerbahce will play Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Aston Villa, Villarreal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Slavia Prague and LASK. Both Istanbul clubs will face Aston Villa.
The draw marks only the second time Galatasaray and Fenerbahce will compete in the Champions League league or group phase in the same season. The previous occasion was in 2001-02.
It is also the first time in 19 years that Türkiye will have two clubs in the competition's main phase.
AEK face European giants
Greek champions AEK Athens, Greece's only representative, were handed a difficult schedule.
AEK will host Real Madrid, Roma, Galatasaray and LASK, while travelling to face Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Shakhtar Donetsk and Como.
AEK secured their place in the league phase with a 4-0 win over Levski Sofia on Wednesday, following a goalless first leg.
New format continues
The 36-team league phase will see each club play eight matches against eight different opponents, with four at home and four away.
The top eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16. Teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a two-legged playoff, while those finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated from European competition.
The league phase is scheduled to run from Sept. 8, 2026, to Jan. 27, 2027.
Source-Photo:UEFA.com
