UEFA Champions League qualifying explained: Dates, how it works

Six teams qualify for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage via qualifying.

UEFA.com explains how it works and when it all takes place.

Seedings, any groupings and the procedures will be available from 09:00 CET on the day of each draw.

Preliminary round

Teams involved (4)
4 automatic entrants

Dates
Draw: 13 June 2023
Semi-finals: 27 June 2023
Final: 30 June 2023

How did it work?
The preliminary round was a mini-tournament consisting of semi-finals on 27 June and a final on 30 June, all one-off matches played in Iceland. The preliminary round winners (Breidablik of Iceland) progressed to the first qualifying round. The other three teams transferred to the Champions Path of the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round.

First qualifying round

Teams involved (30)
29 automatic entrants
1 preliminary round winner

Dates
Draw: 20 June 2023
First legs: 11/12 July 2023
Second legs: 18/19 July 2023

How does it work?
From the first qualifying round onwards, ties are played over two legs. The winners of each tie advanced to the second qualifying round (Champions Path). Defeated sides switched to the Champions Path of the Europa Conference League, with 13 transferring to the second qualifying round and two receiving a bye to the third qualifying round.

Second qualifying round

Teams involved (24)
9 automatic entrants
15 first qualifying round winners

Dates
Draw: 21 June 2023
First legs: 25/26 July 2023
Second legs: 1/2 August 2023

How does it work?
The second qualifying round is divided into two paths:
• The Champions Path features five automatic entrants and the 15 first qualifying winners.
• The League Path features four automatic entrants.

Winners of the two-legged ties advance to the third qualifying round of their respective path. Beaten sides transfer to the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, with Champions Path losers joining the Champions Path and League Path losers the Main Path.

Third qualifying round

Teams involved (20)
8 automatic entrants
12 second qualifying round winners

Dates
Draw: 24 July 2023
First legs: 8/9 August 2023
Second legs: 15 August 2023

How does it work?
The third qualifying round is divided into two paths:
• The Champions Path features two automatic entrants and ten second qualifying round winners.
• The League Path features six automatic entrants and two second qualifying round winners.

Winners of the two-legged ties advance to the play-off round of their respective path. Beaten sides transfer to the Europa League. Those in the Champions Path switch to the respective path of the Europa League play-off round; League Path losers enter the group stage.

Play-off round

Teams involved (12) 
2 automatic entrants
10 third qualifying round winners

Dates
Draw: 7 August 2023
First legs: 22/23 August 2023
Second legs: 29/30 August 2023

How does it work?
The play-off round is divided into two paths:
• The Champions Path features two automatic entrants and six third qualifying round winners.
• The League Path features four third qualifying round winners.

Winners of the six two-legged ties advance to the Champions League group stage to join the 26 teams given direct entry. Losing sides transfer into the Europa League group stage.

Group stage draw

UEFA via Getty Images

The 2023/24 Champions League group stage draw takes place at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, on Thursday 31 August and will be streamed live from 18:00 CET.

The draw will feature 32 teams – the 26 automatic qualifiers and six play-off round winners.