How to run a 2026 UEFA Champions League bracket pool: Play for a dream trip, plus create a picks contest

The UEFA Champions League’s Round of 16 begins on March 9 and CBS Sports UCL bracket pools opened on February 27 after the knockout play-offs concluded. Much like with NCAA Tournament brackets, entering is a breeze and you can compete against friends and family while also entering the UCL bracket challenge offering a trip to London to watch a Champions League match and tour the UCL Today set.

Arsenal won the top seed as the only team in the UCL that won all eight of its league phase matches. They’re guaranteed to play a German squad, with Borussia Dortmund and Leverkusen winning their knockout play-off matches. With the action so close, now is the time to set up your 2026 UEFA Champions League pool.

If you’re looking for a UCL bracket game home, CBS Sports is the perfect platform to use. You can play Bracket Games on the CBS Sports App for free and you could win big prizes.* Sign up right here.

How to create a 2026 UEFA Champions League pool with friends and family

There is a CBS Sports UEFA Champions League Bracket Challenge giving you the chance to win a trip to London to watch a UCL match and tour the UCL Today set. It’s easy to qualify for this epic trip. Simply click this link, click the “Join Now” button and enter.* Fill out your UEFA Champions League bracket before Round of 16 play begins.

Once you’ve entered CBS Sports UEFA Champions League Bracket Game, you can also set up your own 2026 UCL pools on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports app. When you go to the website, hover your mouse over the Fantasy tab until you find the CBS Sports UCL Bracket Games logo.

Click on that logo to be redirected to the CBS Sports UCL Bracket Games page. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a “Create Pool” button to click on and once you’ve finished choosing your UCL bracket pool settings, you’ll be able to copy the URL and send it to your friends and family.

2026 UEFA Champions League Knockout phase teams to watch

Now that you know where to play 2026 UCL Bracket Games, here are some teams to watch as the 2026 Champions League Knockout phase approaches: 

Arsenal FC: The English Premier League leaders won all eight of their matches during the league phase, outscoring their opponents 23-4 in the process to produce the best goal differential in the competition. Arsenal have opened a six-point lead on Manchester City in the EPL, so they’ll still have a somewhat split focus, but this is their best chance yet at notching a UEFA Champions League title. Expect Mikel Arteta to dial in for these matchups and they should be well-rested thanks to the bye that comes with being a top-eight seed.

Manchester City: The Citizens are 10-time EPL champions and they’re hoping to erase a five-point deficit with a game in hand on Arsenal over the final couple months of the season to win their seventh title in nine years. They also won the Champions League four seasons ago and have been to the quarterfinals or further in seven of the last eight years. Manchester City were seeded eighth after the league phase, where they posted five wins, a draw and two losses. They’ll draw either Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid in the Round of 16. Join the 2026 UCL Bracket Game here.

How to enter 2026 UEFA Champions League Bracket Games

Sign up now before brackets are unlocked after the Round of 16 Draw. Visit CBSSports.com/UCLBracket or play on the CBS Sports App.

*No purchase necessary. See rules for details.