Pots for the Champions League are set: Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe could face off in the Champions League

The pots for the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase have been finalized. Galatasaray will be in Pot 3, and if Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon, both representatives will enter the draw from the same pot. If both teams advance to the Round of 16, a Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby could take place in the Champions League.

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Pots for the Champions League are set: Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe could face off in the Champions League

The pot distribution for the 2026-2027 Champions League league phase has been largely finalized. Galatasaray, which will compete directly in the league phase, will be in Pot 3. Fenerbahçe will join the draw from the same pot if they pass the play-off round against Lyon.

GALATASARAY IN POT 3

Galatasaray, having earned the right to participate directly in the Champions League, will enter the league phase draw on August 27 from Pot 3.

If Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon, the yellow-navies will also be in Pot 3. Thus, both Turkish teams could be in the same pot during the draw.

TEAMS IN POT 4

Teams coming from the other three play-off matchups will be in Pot 4. The winners of the Dinamo Zagreb-Viking, Slovan Bratislava-Celje, and AEK Athens-Levski Sofia ties will be included in the draw from this pot.

Following Bodo/Glimt's advancement, the ranking in the pots is complete. The results of the remaining play-off matches will not change which pot the teams are in.

DRAW ON AUGUST 27

The draw for the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League league phase will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 19:00.

The dates for the matches in the league phase are as follows:

Matchday 1: September 8-10, 2026

Matchday 2: October 13-14, 2026

Matchday 3: October 20-21, 2026

Matchday 4: November 3-4, 2026

Matchday 5: November 24-25, 2026

Matchday 6: December 8-9, 2026

Matchday 7: January 19-20, 2027

Matchday 8: January 27, 2027

IS A GALATASARAY-FENERBAHÇE DERBY POSSIBLE?

For Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe to face each other in the Champions League, both teams must pass the league phase and advance to the Round of 16. If Fenerbahçe eliminates Lyon and both representatives reach the Round of 16, the two teams could become rivals in Europe's most important competition.