The Champions League 2026-27 third qualifying round begins on July 16, with 12 teams competing for six spots in the playoff round. Galatasaray face PSV Eindhoven in the headline Champions Path tie, while Rangers play Maribor and Celtic meet Dinamo Zagreb. The League Path features Shakhtar Donetsk against Monaco and Red Star Belgrade versus Slavia Prague. Winners advance to two-legged playoff ties in August, with the ultimate prize being a place in the Champions League group stage starting on September 16.
Track every Champions League qualifying result with live scores and match data at iScore.ai, where European competition meets real-time intelligence.
Champions League Third Round Format and Schedule
The third qualifying round consists of 12 teams split into two paths. The Champions Path features six league champions who enter at this stage, while the League Path consists of six teams from stronger leagues who did not win their domestic titles. First legs are played on July 16 and 17, with second legs following on July 23 and 24. The six winners advance to the playoff round, where they are joined by two teams dropping down from the Champions League second qualifying round and two teams from the Europa League champions path.
The playoff round takes place on August 5-6 and 12-13. The six playoff winners qualify for the Champions League group stage, joining 26 automatic entrants including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. The group stage draw is on August 29 in Monaco, with matchday one scheduled for September 16. Teams eliminated in the third qualifying round drop down to the Europa League playoff round on August 19 and 26, offering a second route to European group stage football.
Champions Path Ties Analysis
Galatasaray vs PSV Eindhoven is the standout Champions Path tie. Galatasaray finished second in the Turkish Super Lig last season, trailing champions Fenerbahce by four points. Their European pedigree includes reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2025. PSV won the Eredivisie for the first time in three seasons, finishing eight points clear of Feyenoord. Their recent Champions League form includes qualifying campaigns in 2023 and 2024, where they reached the group stage on both occasions. This is the first meeting between the clubs since the 2017-18 Europa League group stage, where they drew 0-0 in Istanbul and PSV won 3-2 in Eindhoven.
Rangers vs Maribor pits the Scottish runners-up against Slovenian champions. Rangers lost the Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the season, finishing two points behind Celtic. Their European form includes reaching the Europa League round of 32 last season, where they lost to Bayer Leverkusen. Maribor won the Slovenian PrvaLiga for the 16th time, finishing 12 points clear of Olimpija Ljubljana. Their best recent Champions League run came in 2023, when they reached the playoff round before losing to Maccabi Haifa. Rangers have never faced Maribor in European competition.
Celtic vs Dinamo Zagreb reunites two teams who met in the 2024-25 Europa League group stage. Celtic won 2-1 in Glasgow and drew 1-1 in Zagreb. The Scottish champions are seeking their first Champions League group stage appearance since 2022-23. Their squad includes newly signed striker Adam Idah from Norwich City and midfielder Matt O'Riley, who remains despite summer interest from Premier League clubs. Dinamo Zagreb won their 25th Croatian title, finishing 15 points clear of Hajduk Split. Their Champions League pedigree includes reaching the round of 16 in 2023-24, where they lost to Manchester City over two legs.
| Tie | First Leg | Second Leg | 2025-26 League Finish | European Pedigree |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galatasaray vs PSV | Jul 16, Istanbul | Jul 23, Eindhoven | 2nd (Turkey) | Europa League QF 2025 |
| Rangers vs Maribor | Jul 17, Glasgow | Jul 24, Maribor | 2nd (Scotland) | Europa League R32 2026 |
| Celtic vs Dinamo Zagreb | Jul 16, Glasgow | Jul 23, Zagreb | 1st (Scotland) | No CL group stage since 2023 |
League Path Ties Analysis
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Monaco features two clubs with rich European histories. Shakhtar finished second in the Ukrainian Premier League, 10 points behind champions Dynamo Kiev. Their Champions League group stage appearances include 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25, though they have not advanced past the round of 16 since 2015. Monaco finished third in Ligue 1, qualifying for Europe through their league position. Their squad includes young striker Maghnes Akliouche, who scored 15 goals last season, and midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The clubs have never met in European competition.
Red Star Belgrade vs Slavia Prague brings together two of Eastern Europe's most successful clubs. Red Star won the Serbian SuperLiga for the 11th consecutive season, extending their domestic dominance. Their Champions League history includes winning the competition in 1991 and reaching the group stage in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Slavia Prague finished second in the Czech First League, three points behind champions Sparta Prague. Their best recent Champions League run came in 2024, when they reached the playoff round before losing to Young Boys. The clubs met in the 2022-23 Europa League group stage, with Red Star winning 2-1 in Belgrade and drawing 1-1 in Prague.
Young Boys vs Ferencvaros completes the League Path fixtures. Young Boys won the Swiss Super League for the sixth time in eight seasons. Their Champions League experience includes reaching the group stage in 2023-24 and 2024-25, where they finished third on both occasions to drop into the Europa League. Ferencvaros finished second in the Hungarian NB I, qualifying through their league position. The Hungarian club reached the Champions League group stage in 2021-22, recording a famous 2-0 win over Barcelona at Camp Nou. The clubs have never faced each other in European competition.
Favorites to Reach the Group Stage
Rangers are the strongest favorites to advance from the Champions Path, priced at 1.40 to qualify against Maribor. The Scottish runners-up have a higher squad value, more European experience and superior attacking options. Maribor's best hope is to keep the first leg in Glasgow tight and exploit any complacency in the return leg. However, Rangers' recent European form suggests they will be professional and efficient over two legs.
Celtic are also strong favorites at 1.60 to beat Dinamo Zagreb. The Scottish champions have strengthened their squad with the addition of Idah and retained key players like O'Riley. Dinamo Zagreb's Champions League pedigree from 2023-24 suggests they are capable of an upset, particularly if they can utilize their home advantage in the second leg. Celtic's experience from the 2024-25 Europa League group stage against Dinamo Zagreb gives them valuable tactical knowledge of their opponents.
Galatasaray and PSV are the closest matchup, with both teams priced at 2.75 to qualify. The Turkish side's European experience in recent seasons, including their Europa League quarter-final run in 2025, gives them an edge. PSV's Eredivisie title and their successful Champions League qualifying campaigns in 2023 and 2024 demonstrate they know how to navigate these ties. The away goals rule could be decisive, with both teams likely to approach the first leg cautiously.
In the League Path, Monaco are favorites at 1.85 to qualify against Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ligue 1 side's squad includes several players with Champions League experience, and their attacking quality should create chances against Shakhtar's defensive approach. Shakhtar's home advantage in the second leg could make this closer than the odds suggest, particularly if the first leg in Monaco is level.
Red Star Belgrade are favorites at 1.70 to beat Slavia Prague. The Serbian champions' Champions League group stage experience in 2023-24 and 2024-25 gives them an edge in European competition. Their home advantage in the first leg at Rajko Mitic Stadium is significant, with an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. Slavia Prague's recent playoff round experience in 2024 suggests they are capable of pushing Red Star close, particularly in the second leg in Prague.
Young Boys are favorites at 1.55 to qualify against Ferencvaros. The Swiss champions' recent Champions League group stage appearances mean they are familiar with the demands of European competition. Ferencvaros' attacking approach could cause problems, particularly in the first leg in Budapest, but Young Boys' experience and squad depth should see them through over two legs.
The Playoff Path Awaiting Winners
The six third qualifying round winners advance to the playoff round, where they face stronger opposition. Two teams dropping down from the Champions League second qualifying round and two teams from the Europa League champions path join the playoff round. The playoff draw is seeded, with teams split based on their club coefficient rankings.
The playoff round consists of six ties over two legs on August 5-6 and 12-13. The six winners qualify for the Champions League group stage, joining the 26 automatic entrants. The group stage format features 32 teams drawn into eight groups of four, with each team playing six matches. The top two from each group advance to the round of 16, while third-placed teams drop into the Europa League round of 32.
The financial rewards for reaching the Champions League group stage are substantial. Each participating club receives a base payment of approximately 15.6 million euros, with additional payments for wins and draws. Clubs also receive a share of the market pool, distributed based on the value of their domestic television market. For clubs like Rangers, Celtic and Galatasaray, reaching the group stage represents a significant financial windfall and enhances their ability to compete in domestic and European competitions.
Betting Odds for Key Ties
Bookmakers have priced the third qualifying round ties, with clear favorites emerging in several matchups. Rangers vs Maribor sees Rangers at 1.40 to qualify, with Maribor at 2.90. The draw in 90 minutes for the first leg is 3.50, with Rangers at 1.75 and Maribor at 4.50. The away goals rule market has both teams at 1.90 to score away goals, reflecting the possibility of a tight tie.
Celtic vs Dinamo Zagreb has Celtic at 1.60 to qualify, with Dinamo Zagreb at 2.40. The first leg in Glasgow has Celtic at 1.90 to win, the draw at 3.60 and Dinamo Zagreb at 4.00. Both teams to score is 1.95, suggesting bookmakers expect goals from both sides. The correct score market has Celtic winning 2-1 at 7.50, while a 1-1 draw is 6.50.
Galatasaray vs PSV is the closest tie, with both teams priced at 2.75 to qualify. The first leg in Istanbul has Galatasaray at 2.40 to win, the draw at 3.30 and PSV at 2.90. Both teams to score is 1.75, reflecting the attacking quality on both sides. The over 2.5 goals market is 1.85, while under 2.5 goals is 1.95, suggesting bookmakers expect a moderate number of goals.
Monaco vs Shakhtar Donetsk has Monaco at 1.85 to qualify, with Shakhtar at 2.00. The first leg in Monaco has the French side at 2.10 to win, the draw at 3.40 and Shakhtar at 3.30. Both teams to score is 1.90, with Monaco favored to advance due to their squad quality and home advantage in the first leg. The over 2.5 goals market is 2.00, while under 2.5 goals is 1.80.
Red Star Belgrade vs Slavia Prague has Red Star at 1.70 to qualify, with Slavia at 2.15. The first leg in Belgrade has Red Star at 2.20 to win, the draw at 3.30 and Slavia at 3.20. Both teams to score is 1.85, with the home advantage for Red Star in the first leg likely to be a significant factor. The over 2.5 goals market is 1.95, while under 2.5 goals is 1.85.
Young Boys vs Ferencvaros has Young Boys at 1.55 to qualify, with Ferencvaros at 2.35. The first leg in Budapest has Ferencvaros at 2.40 to win, the draw at 3.40 and Young Boys at 2.80. Both teams to score is 1.90, with Ferencvaros' home advantage in the first leg expected to help them stay in the tie. The over 2.5 goals market is 1.90, while under 2.5 goals is 1.90.
Follow every Champions League qualifying result with live scores, match data and tactical analysis at iScore.ai, your source for European football intelligence.