Champions League draw predicted by AI: Arsenal vs. Bayern from ChatGPT, PSG-Man Utd from Claude

The pots are being prepared, the balls are being readied, and the legends are being gathered - the 2026-27 Champions League league-phase draw is almost upon us.

At approximately 6pm UK time on Thursday - giving UEFA a generous hour to work through all the pre-amble at the start of the evening - the 36 teams competing in Europe's premier tournament will discover their eight opponents for the first phase.

Celtic will not be among them after the Hoops suffered the most catastrophic collapse against LASK Linz in their final qualifier, but Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa are flying the flag high for the UK, all bidding to thwart Paris Saint-Germain's attempt at a tremendous three-peat.

Ahead of the ceremony, Sports Mole asked AI to simulate the 2026-27 Champions League league phase draw - here are the results!

Four qualifiers are yet to be determined - with all first legs ending level - but all models worked under the assumption that Fenerbahce, Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava and AEK Athens will advance.

Arsenal at the Allianz as Man United get Real Madrid from ChatGPT

© Iconsport / DeFodi Images

ChatGPT's simulated 2026-27 Champions League draw threw up heavyweight clashes left right and centre, but there will be no repeat of the 2025-26 final between Arsenal and PSG in the league phase.

Instead, the Gunners would host Atletico Madrid and travel to Bayern Munich from Pot 1, as well as travelling to Portugal so Viktor Gyokeres can reunite with former employers Sporting Lisbon - another one of their victims en route to last year's final.

PSG would still have to navigate their way past two Premier League powerhouses, though, having been drawn to face Man City at home and Liverpool away; both English sides also come up against Barcelona, who host the Reds and travel to the Etihad.

Man United and Aston Villa are both in Pot 2 for the Champions League draw, and the Red Devils have the daunting task of facing both Madrid clubs; Real at home and Atletico Madrid away.

Los Blancos also welcome Aston Villa to the Bernabeu in ChatGPT's version, and Unai Emery's side arguably face the most challenging run of any side; Inter Milan, Porto, Roma, Villarreal, Fenerbahce and Stuttgart also lie in wait.

Liverpool out for latest dose of Real Madrid revenge in Gemini draw

© Imago

Asking Gemini to produce the same results, Google's model has given Liverpool another shot at taking down 15-time winners Real Madrid, whom Andoni Iraola's side have been drawn to face at the Bernabeu.

The Reds would also host Bayern Munich, Porto and Napoli in this simulation, while Man City welcome Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad, in addition to a stopover at Camp Nou to meet Barcelona.

Two-time runners-up Arsenal have been given one of the kinder league-phase draws on paper, hosting Atletico and travelling to their San Siro playground to reunite with Inter Milan.

However, Aston Villa must host PSG and Borussia Dortmund, in addition to facing Real Madrid in the Spanish capital, while Man United would welcome Bayern to Old Trafford and head to the Metropolitano to tackle Atletico.

Claude gives Man United PSG test at Parc des Princes

© Iconsport / PA Images

Last but not least, Claude's simulated Champions League 2026-27 league-phase draw pits reigning champions PSG at home to the two most successful English clubs to ever grace the game.

Liverpool would stop over at the Parc des Princes, bidding to replicate their Harvey Elliott-inspired success from the 2024-25 season, as would Man United, still carrying the memories of their tremendous away-goals triumph from 2019.

Man City, on the other hand, would have to test their mettle against both Barcelona - at home - and Real Madrid (away), while the latter would also head to the Emirates for a date with silver medallists Arsenal.

Aston Villa would also have to pass Bayern Munich and Barcelona-sized tests to prove their knockout worth, and a tricky Man Utd draw also comprises Inter Milan, Real Betis, RB Leipzig, Dortmund and Villarreal.