UEFA has announced that it will implement an automated system for the group stage draws of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, scheduled to take place on August 29 and 30 in Monaco, thereby replacing the traditional manual method.
The 36 participating teams in each of the three competitions will be divided into four levels. Each team will play eight matches against eight different opponents, with two matches against teams from each level: one home match and one away match. Only the Conference League will differ slightly, with teams facing six opponents from different levels, playing three matches at home and three away.
The automated draw will adhere to two important criteria: no team will face an opponent from the same national league, and no team will play against more than two teams from the same country. For example, Paris Saint-Germain will not face Monaco or encounter more than two teams from the English Premier League.
The decisions made by the computer will be checked in real time by two independent systems, and an audit firm will oversee the entire process.
The match schedules for the group stages of each competition will be available on Saturday, August 31.
