UEFA rule means Liverpool cannot host Real Madrid if drawn together

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·26 August 2026

UEFA rule means Liverpool cannot host Real Madrid if drawn together

Liverpool said in a statement that, if they are paired with Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage, they could not be the home team because of a UEFA regulation.

The draw takes place on Thursday from 18:00 French time.

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The rule prevents the same fixture being staged in the same competition with the same home club for three consecutive seasons, listed as paragraph 16.03 of last season’s regulations, which remain in force.

Liverpool hosted Madrid in 2024, winning 2-0, then again in 2025, winning 1-0, so a third straight home date is ruled out.

A meeting is still permitted, but if drawn together the game would be played at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”