Football fever is back! 🤩 The Champions League draw is just around the corner, and the excitement for FC Barcelona’s European journey is palpable. Who do you think Barça will face in the expanded format, and how far can they go this season? The anticipation is electric – don’t miss out on the thrill!

The highly anticipated UEFA Champions League draw is once again upon us, igniting excitement across the European football landscape as clubs prepare to discover their paths in the continent’s most prestigious competition. For FC Barcelona, this moment marks the beginning of their quest for continental glory in the 2025-26 season, with fans eager to see who their beloved team will face on their journey.

This pivotal event is scheduled to take place at 6 PM CET (12 PM ET) on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in the glamorous city of Monaco. Football aficionados worldwide will be tuning in to witness the unveiling of the group stage matchups, a crucial first step in the pursuit of the ultimate prize in European club football.

The upcoming season represents the second iteration of the expanded Champions League format, a significant evolution designed to inject new levels of competition and drama into the tournament. This innovative structure sees a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage, promising a more extensive and dynamic set of fixtures for all participating teams.

Barcelona, a storied club with a rich history in the Champions League, enters this campaign with renewed determination. Following a heartbreaking semi-final exit last season, the Catalan giants are aiming to go one better this time around, with their sights firmly set on reaching the coveted Final in Budapest and lifting the iconic trophy.

Under the new system, the League Phase will culminate in the Last 16, where the top eight teams from the initial phase will clash with the eight play-off winners. This setup ensures that every match in the knockout rounds carries immense weight, as teams battle fiercely for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals and beyond.

A notable and impactful change introduced with the expanded format provides a distinct advantage to the top two seeds from the League Phase. These elite clubs are now guaranteed to play the second legs of all subsequent knockout rounds at home, a considerable benefit that could prove decisive in high-stakes encounters.

FC Barcelona finds itself in a strong position, seeded in Pot 1 for the draw, signifying their standing among Europe’s elite. They are set to be drawn against two teams from each pot, ensuring a diverse range of opponents. Crucially, established rules prevent clubs from the same association from facing each other in this initial phase, meaning no immediate clashes with domestic rivals like Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid.

Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that no team can be drawn against more than two clubs from the same country, adding another layer of complexity and variety to the draw. These restrictions ensure a balanced and geographically diverse set of fixtures, fostering competitive integrity and increasing the global appeal of the competition.

As the draw approaches, the anticipation builds for Barcelona and their legion of fans. The path to the Champions League final is never easy, but with a strong squad and strategic planning, the Catalans are poised for another thrilling season of European football. The stage is set for an unforgettable campaign, filled with intense rivalries and moments of pure footballing brilliance.