PSG, Manchester City and Como Drew the Toughest Roads in the 2026-27 Champions League

The puzzle is complete. The draw for the League Phase of the 2026-27 Champions League took place this Thursday, and as usual with the Swiss format, there was something for everyone: clubs that breathed a sigh of relief and others already eyeing the calendar with a grimace. The exact kickoff times and match dates for each round won't be known until Saturday, August 29, but the matchups are already set, and there's plenty to discuss.

Among those with the least to celebrate are three names: PSG, Manchester City and Como. None of them escaped a schedule loaded with heavyweight opponents, though as anyone who's followed this competition over the years knows well, a tough draw doesn't always turn into a death sentence.

PSG, Bracing for Another Grind

The reigning back-to-back champions didn't get an easy hand. On the road, they'll travel to Manchester City, Aston Villa, Como and Villarreal, while at home they'll host Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray and Slovan Bratislava. Eight matches, several against serious title contenders.

Funny enough, something similar happened to this club before. Two seasons ago, the Paris side didn't even earn direct qualification to the group stage and had to grind through the playoff round. They still ended up lifting the Champions League trophy. So if recent history is any guide, a demanding schedule doesn't necessarily slow down Luis Enrique's PSG.

Manchester City, Little Room to Relax

City can't complain about getting a free pass either. On the road, they'll face Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens, four venues where any slip-up gets punished. At the Etihad, they'll host PSG, Napoli, Sporting CP and AEK Athens.

The clash with PSG already sounds like one of the marquee fixtures of this opening phase, and the trips to Barcelona and Leipzig are far from a walk in the park. The new format leaves some room for a stumble here and there, but if the Manchester club wants to crack the top eight and skip the playoff round, they can't afford to give away too many points.

Como, Baptism by Fire

Perhaps the most striking case is that of Cesc Fabregas's Como, making their debut in the competition without exactly getting a warm welcome. At home, they'll host PSG, Manchester United and RB Leipzig. On the road, they're headed to Barcelona, Betis, Feyenoord and Lens.

At least six of their eight matchups look, on paper, like top-tier tests. For the club where Nico Paz plays, it will be a massive challenge, but also a chance to measure themselves right away against some of Europe's giants.

Pellegrini's Betis Puts Its Name on the Map

The 2026-27 edition will carry a bit of South American flavor thanks to Real Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini. The Andalusian club already knows all eight of its opponents, and the road won't be smooth: on the road they'll take on none other than Arsenal, finalists in the last edition, and at home they'll welcome Bayern Munich.

Rounding out the list are Porto (at home), Borussia Dortmund (away), Lille, Feyenoord (at home) and Slovan Bratislava (in Slovakia).

Worth remembering how this format works: each club plays eight matches, four at home and four away. The top eight in the overall standings advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing between 9th and 24th must play a two-legged playoff to keep their season alive.

The draw wasn't especially kind to PSG, City or Como, but in this Swiss-format Champions League, a tough schedule can also be read another way: taking on the best from the very start is often the best way to arrive sharp for the business end of the tournament.