The UEFA Conference League is back, and Friday brings the first significant moment of the 2026-27 edition — the league phase draw, scheduled for 12:00 BST in Monaco. Held as a joint event alongside the Europa League draw, the Conference League is expected to be the second of the two procedures on the day.

How does the league phase work?

As with its two elder siblings in the UEFA club competition family, the Conference League will feature 36 clubs in the league phase this season. There is one key difference from the Champions League and Europa League, however: each side will play six matches in the league phase rather than eight.

The 36 clubs are split into six pots, with pot one reserved for the highest-ranked sides based on UEFA club coefficient rankings accumulated over the five seasons ending with the conclusion of 2025-26. Each club will face one opponent drawn from each of the six pots, and cannot be drawn against a side from the same country.

At the end of the league phase, the top eight clubs advance directly to the round of 16. Those finishing between ninth and 24th place enter a play-off knockout round for a further chance to progress. The 12 sides ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated once the league phase concludes.

Which British clubs are involved?

Heart of Midlothian are the only side already confirmed in the league phase, having played their qualifying-round fixture a day ahead of the remaining ties. The Edinburgh club — often known as Hearts or the Jam Tarts — can finish no higher than pot two, with a lower pot the more likely outcome given the coefficients of the other potential entrants.

Rangers are in a considerably stronger position. Should they progress through qualifying, the Glasgow club are guaranteed a place in pot one, reflecting their standing in UEFA's rankings. Motherwell and Hibernian, by contrast, would both drop into one of the lower pots based on their current coefficient ratings.

Brighton and Hove Albion are mathematically capable of entering pot one, but it would require at least five of the 21 higher-ranked potential qualifiers to fall out of the competition before the league phase — a narrow scenario at best.

One notable detail: Shamrock Rovers of the Republic of Ireland are ranked above the majority of British clubs still in qualifying. Only Rangers and Brighton sit above them in the coefficient standings, meaning the Dublin side could find themselves in a higher pot than several UK representatives.

Larne, from Northern Ireland, also rank above both Motherwell and Hibernian, adding further texture to how the pots could eventually look once qualifying is completed.

Who else could feature?

Several prominent European clubs are still fighting for a place in the league phase. Benfica, Atalanta and Braga — all expected to land in pot one if they come through — are among the highest-profile names in qualifying. Ajax, PAOK, Anderlecht and FC Twente are also in the mix, while the losers of ties involving Red Star Belgrade and Besiktas could yet find their way into the draw.

The full list of 36 league phase participants will be confirmed on Thursday — just a day before the draw itself — so the picture is expected to become much clearer very quickly.

What about the draw format?

With the pot placements dependent on qualifiers completing their ties on Thursday, the draw in Monaco will follow swiftly. Each club receives one opponent from each pot, ensuring a spread of difficulty across the six matches. The same-country restriction means British clubs cannot face one another in the league phase, though they may well meet in the knockout rounds thereafter.

Three of the last four Conference League trophies have been won by Premier League clubs, which underlines just how competitive English sides have become in this competition. Whether the current crop of British hopefuls can match that record remains to be seen, but Friday's draw will set the tone.

Frequently asked

When is the Conference League 2026-27 draw and where can I watch it?
The Conference League league phase draw takes place on Friday 28 August at 12:00 BST in Monaco. It is held as a joint event with the Europa League draw, with the Conference League expected to follow second.
Which British clubs are in the 2026-27 Conference League?
Heart of Midlothian are already confirmed in the league phase. Rangers, Brighton and Hove Albion, Motherwell, Hibernian and Larne are all still in qualifying and could join them, depending on their results.
How does the Conference League league phase work in 2026-27?
36 clubs are split into six pots and each side plays six matches — one against a team from each pot. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, positions nine to 24 enter a play-off round, and the bottom 12 are eliminated.