The draw for the UEFA Champions League's 36-team league phase is set to take place in Monaco tonight, with Europe's elite clubs eagerly awaiting their fate. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will discover the eight different opponents they will face in the new single-league format as they begin their quest to retain the coveted trophy.
After their historic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in last season's final, PSG became only the second French team ever to win the Champions League. Their triumph ended a 20-year dominance by clubs from England, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Head coach Luis Enrique has made it clear that their ambition remains high. "The dream is to win it again," he said. "We know it will be very difficult, but we are delighted to have that as a dream."
This season's competition features a host of fresh faces, with half of the 36 teams not having participated in last year's league phase. The newcomers include Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty, Norway's Bodo/Glimt, and Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise. Another debutant, Cypriot side Pafos, featuring veteran defender David Luiz, is embracing its underdog status. "We are the black sheep... but we will fight, compete and just enjoy the journey," said their coach, Juan Carlos Carcedo.
Participation in the Champions League comes with immense financial rewards. UEFA projects the total prize money for this season to be nearly €2.5 billion. The eventual winner of the tournament can expect to earn over €100 million in prize money alone, with tens of millions more coming from television rights and coefficient ranking payments, making success in the competition transformative for any club.
For fans in India, the UEFA Champions League draw will take place tonight, Thursday, August 28, starting at 9:30 PM IST. The ceremony, held in Monaco, will reveal the path for all 36 teams as they begin their journey towards the final, which will be held this season in Budapest.