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2023/24 Champions League group stage draw: Man United, Real Madrid, Barcelona & more learn fate
The showdown between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, which is one of the highlights of the 2023–24 Champions League group stage draw and promises to be thrilling, stands out. As a result of Real Madrid and Napoli being matched together, another exciting matchup is anticipated.
The 32 qualified teams were divided into eight groups, A through H, according to the draw’s traditional format.
To ensure that each group would feature a team from each pot and that no more than one club from a single nation could be placed in a group, each participating club was assigned to one of four pots prior to the draw.
The top clubs in Pot One were Manchester City and Sevilla, who were the current Champions League and Europa League champions, respectively. Apart from the Premier League, which was already represented by Manchester City as the English champions, it also included champions from UEFA’s highest-ranked leagues.
Manchester City will face RB Leipzig to open their European campaign as they seek to retain their championship. Newcastle gets placed in a difficult group with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund in an unexpected twist. Newcastle’s two-decade hiatus from the Champions League ends with this match.
Notably, Belgian champions Royal Antwerp have been drawn into the same group as the five-time Champions League winners, Barcelona. This is Royal Antwerp’s first appearance in the competition since the 1957/58 season, adding excitement to their return to the elite competition.
2023/24 Champions League third round draw
| Group A |
|---|
| Bayern Munich (GER) |
| Manchester United (ENG) |
| Copenhagen (DEN) |
| Galatasaray (TUR) |
| Group B |
|---|
| Sevilla (ESP) |
| Arsenal (ENG) |
| PSV Eindhoven (NED) |
| Lens (FRA) |
| Group C |
|---|
| Napoli (ITA) |
| Real Madrid (ESP) |
| Braga (POR) |
| Union Berlin (GER) |
| Group D |
|---|
| Benfica (POR) |
| Inter (ITA) |
| Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) |
| Real Sociedad (ESP) |
| Group E |
|---|
| Feyenoord (NED) |
| Atletico Madrid (ESP) |
| Lazio (ITA) |
| Celtic (SCO) |
| Group F |
|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) |
| Borussia Dortmund (GER) |
| AC Milan (ITA) |
| Newcastle United (ENG) |
| Group G |
|---|
| Manchester City (ENG) |
| RB Leipzig (GER) |
| Red Star Belgrade (SRB) |
| Young Boys (SUI) |
| Group H |
|---|
| Barcelona (ESP) |
| Porto (POR) |
| Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) |
| Royal Antwerp (BEL) |
When is the group stage of the 2023–24 Champions League played?
Matchday 1: September 19–20, 2023
Second-half of the match, October 2023
Three-match day is October 24–25, 2023
Matchday 4: November 7–8 2023
Matchday 5: November 28–29, 2023
Matchday 6: December 12–13, 2023
When is the 2024 Champions League championship game?
The Champions League final for this season will take place at Wembley on June 1, 2024.
Nine finals have been held at the renowned location, including five European Cup finals in the original stadium. In this competition’s most recent Wembley final, Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund in 2013.