The 2026–27 UEFA Conference League league phase begins on 15 October with 36 teams contesting six matchdays through mid-December. Top-eight finishers advance directly to the round of 16 as seeded sides, while positions 9–24 enter knockout play-offs. The August draw paired clubs from six pots based on UEFA coefficients, giving higher-ranked sides such as Atalanta, Ajax, Brighton & Hove Albion, Monaco, SC Freiburg, Braga, Copenhagen, and Gent generally favorable fixtures against lower-coefficient opponents. Pre-season form, squad depth, domestic league schedules, and injury updates will shape early momentum, with stronger clubs expected to accumulate points quickly in the Swiss-system format.