The anticipation is building, the stage is set, and the footballing world is eagerly awaiting the Champions League group stage draw for the 2023/24 season.
For Celtic fans, there was some excitement lingering in the air, especially after last season’s promising showing. However, after Celtic’s sluggish start to the season, it’s become clear that there are still a few players to be brought in if Celtic even want to think about competing with Europe’s elite.
Date and Time:
The draw will take place at 5pm (BST) on Thursday, August 31.
Teams Qualified:
Twenty-six teams have already secured their spots in the group stage based on their league performances in the 2022/23 season. An additional six teams will join them after the play-offs that take place this week and next.
Here’s a breakdown of the automatic qualifiers by country:
- England: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle
- 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: Paris Saint-Germain, Lens
- Portugal: Porto, Benfica
- Netherlands: Feyenoord
- Austria: Red Bull Salzburg
- Scotland: Celtic
- Serbia: Red Star Belgrade
- Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
Play-Offs:
Six more teams will earn their place via the play-offs. The fixtures are as follows:
- Antwerp v AEK Athens
- Rakow Czestochowa v Copenhagen
- Rangers v PSV
- Braga v Panathinaikos
- Molde v Galatasaray
- Maccabi Haifa v Young Boys
How to Watch the Draw:
TNT Sports will show the draw on their TV channel, YouTube and social medias, as BT Sports did.
UEFA.com, as well as on the UEFA YouTube channel and social media pages, will stream the draw taking place in Monaco.
Group Stage Match Dates:
Mark your calendars, Hoops fans!
- Matchday 1: September 19/20
- Matchday 2: October 3/4
- Matchday 3: October 24/25
- Matchday 4: November 7/8
- Matchday 5: November 28/29
- Matchday 6: December 12/13
The 2023/24 Champions League final will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 1, 2024.
