The 2026-27 Champions League draw will feature a particular restriction directly affecting two of Europe’s biggest clubs. Liverpool and Real Madrid could meet again in the league phase, but one scenario has already been completely ruled out: the match cannot be played at Anfield.
Why Liverpool Cannot Host Real Madrid at Anfield
It has nothing to do with a decision made by either club or an issue with the stadium.
The explanation comes directly from the conditions established by UEFA for the draw, which will take place this Thursday, August 27. The governing body wants to prevent the exact same matchup, with the same team playing at home, from occurring in three consecutive seasons.
And that is where Liverpool and Real Madrid come in.
Two Consecutive Madrid Visits to Anfield
Los Blancos have already visited Anfield during the league phase in each of the last two editions of the Champions League.
In the 2024-25 season, Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 2-0, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
The story repeated itself one year later. The Reds once again hosted the Spanish side and claimed another victory, this time 1-0 thanks to a Mac Allister header following a free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
For that reason, a third consecutive Liverpool-Real Madrid meeting at Anfield is not possible during this season’s league phase.
The regulation establishes that a matchup between the same two clubs cannot be repeated with the same team playing at home for three consecutive seasons.
They Could Still Meet at the Bernabéu
Here is the important detail.
The rule does not prevent Liverpool and Real Madrid from facing each other again. It only prevents Liverpool from hosting the match once more.
That means the draw could still send Andoni Iraola’s side to the Santiago Bernabéu.
In other words, there cannot be a Liverpool-Real Madrid match at Anfield during this season’s league phase, but there could be a Real Madrid-Liverpool clash in the Spanish capital.
They Are Not the Only Clubs Affected
Liverpool and Madrid are not the only clubs affected by this particular restriction.
Benfica-Juventus and Inter-Arsenal have also been played with the same home team during each of the last two league phases, meaning those matchups cannot happen again under the same circumstances.
Everything will be decided this Thursday when the Champions League league-phase draw takes place, with the 36 participating teams learning their eight opponents. Each club will play four matches at home and four away.
For Liverpool and Real Madrid, however, there is already one certainty before the first ball is drawn.
If the draw brings them together again, this time the only road for the Reds leads to the Bernabéu.
