When do Olympiacos, Lyon and Celtic start their Champions League journey? Third qualifying round kicks off Aug. 4-5. Full 2026-27 qualifying calendar inside.
Big clubs like Olympiacos, Lyon, and Celtic will begin their European journey in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds to secure their place in the league phase.
Although for many the Champions League begins with the first matchday of the league phase, the reality is that the pots are formed months in advance. In this case, the qualifying rounds will begin in the summer, a few days before the end of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
When Do 2026-27 UEFA Champions League Qualifying Rounds Start?
According to the official UEFA calendar, the Champions League 2026-27 qualifying rounds will begin with the first-leg matches on July 7-8, while the second-leg matches are scheduled for July 14-15.
For the second qualifying round, the matches are scheduled for July 21-22 (first leg) and July 28-29 (second leg). For the third qualifying round, where Olympiacos will begin its journey, the matches are scheduled for August 4-5 (first leg) and August 11 (second leg).
Aston Villa pleased Olympiacos by finishing fourth in the Premier League, thereby triggering the rebalancing of the Europa League holder.
Thus, Sporting Lisbon secured a place in the league phase of the next Champions League, and the gap left by its third-round exit will be filled by Olympiacos and Bodo Glimt.
After the qualifying rounds, the playoff before the league phase will take place. According to the official calendar, the first leg will be on August 18-19 and the second leg on August 25-26.
Already qualified for the playoff round are Viking, AEK Athens, LASK Linz and Celtic.
Olympiacos' Path to UEFA Champions League Qualifying Rounds
Olympiacos fell short in the race for the league title during the 2025-26 season, finishing second with 66 points from 32 matches, a record of 19 wins, 9 draws, and 4 losses.
Above Thrylos, AEK Athens was crowned champion with 72 points after 32 games, with a record of 21 wins, nine draws, and only two losses. That is why Jose Luis Mendilibar's team goes to the third qualifying round of the Champions League, instead of going directly to the playoff.
Regarding Thrylos' preparation for these commitments, Gazzetta.gr reported, "Piraeus will begin their preparation at Rentis on June 29 instead of the 22. The main stage will once again take place at the CWO training center in Vlaardingen. The Red and Whites will most likely be there from July 3 to 13 or 14."
