Champions League 36-Team League Phase Draw Conducted

The draw for the newly formatted 36-team Champions League league phase has been officially conducted, marking a major milestone for European club football. Under the updated structure of the prestigious tournament, all thirty-six competing clubs will share approximately 2.5 billion euros, which equates to roughly 2.9 billion dollars, in overall prize money.

As part of the newly drawn league phase matchups, current champions Paris Saint-Germain are scheduled to play a home match against Spanish powerhouse Barcelona. In addition to their home fixture against Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain will face challenging away fixtures on the road.

The current champions must travel to play against 2013 champions Manchester City, as well as the reigning Europa League winners Aston Villa, at their respective home grounds during the course of the upcoming league phase.

The schedule for this expansive European competition has also been clearly established. The first round of matches for the league phase is officially scheduled to take place from September 8 to September 10.

Following the opening fixtures across the continent, the intense league phase campaign will run through the autumn and winter months, culminating on January 27 when the crucial eighth round of matches comes to a close.