Champions League prize pool confirmed at €2.5 billion for 2026–27 season

Real Madrid will face Roma in the group stage of the 2026–27 Champions League following the draw made on 27 August. Emilio Butragueno, the club's director of institutional relations, has outlined the scale of the challenge ahead under the new league-phase format. Roma's return to the competition will pit them against one of Europe's biggest sides. Butragueno acknowledged the intensity of matches at this level, particularly the Olimpico fixture. He stressed the demanding nature of the new format, in which teams compete against all opponents rather than in traditional groups. "The format is particularly demanding because, unlike before, we now compete against everyone. This forces us to treat practically every match as a final, because the objective is to finish in the top eight, ideally the top four, which would guarantee us the home-field advantage through to the end," he said. Roma will be seeking points from their opening matches to build confidence for the run-in. Butragueno added: "This must be our horizon, and also, if possible, to avoid playing the preliminary knockout round, which weighs more heavily on the calendar because it involves two very intense matches with the risk of being eliminated from the competition. It is fundamental to start earning points from the first matches, so that the squad gains the confidence necessary to finish among the best." Real Madrid aim to secure a top-four finish and avoid the preliminary elimination stage that would place additional strain on their fixture schedule.

Roma's Champions League League Phase opponents were confirmed on 27 August, and the draw delivered a mouth-watering set of fixtures. The giallorossi will face Real Madrid, PSG and Manchester United, along with trips to Istanbul and Old Trafford among their eight opponents. The detailed fixture calendar with dates and kickoff times will be announced within a couple of days. The League Phase participation guarantees Roma almost €50 million—a minimum figure awarded even if the club loses all eight matches. New CEO John Galantic expressed enthusiasm about the draw and the transfer window's final days, saying: "Gasperini is demanding because he is a winner, which is better this way. He is happy with the players who have arrived, but the club will remain vigilant about possible opportunities." Belgian forward Malick Fofana remains Roma's priority transfer target. Fofana is keen to join Roma and is waiting for a signal from the giallorossi, though a club-to-club agreement has not yet been reached. Roma are pushing hard, with fresh contact between the clubs reported from France aimed at accelerating the deal. All parties are convinced an agreement can be reached. Gittens is Roma's alternative, with director D'Amico continuing efforts to bring him in on loan from Chelsea; contact with his agent is ongoing and talks took place on 27 August. The next step will determine whether Chelsea are willing to accept a loan formula. Chelsea rejected Roma's approach in recent days, but Roma intend to try again. Jayden Oosterwolde will not join Roma. The club conducted additional medical checks following an injury concern and consulted Professor Lempainen; the assessment revealed a lengthy recovery period potentially lasting until January. That evening, Roma withdrew and Oosterwolde will return to Fenerbahce instead. Franck Kessié has drawn closer to Juventus. The relationship between Gasperini and Neil El Aynaoui never developed, and Roma would allow him to leave if offers of €30 million materialise, though none appear imminent. Kessié has been proposed as El Aynaoui's replacement but is demanding €4.5 million per season in wages, which is too high. Defensive moves are expected soon. A deal to sign Morato from Nottingham Forest no longer looks certain after Nottingham rejected a loan; Thilo Kehrer of Monaco has emerged as an option. Jan Ziółkowski is close to leaving on loan to Monza, pending the arrival of his replacement. Robinio Vaz is near a move to Hull City; an agreement between the clubs is near completion on a loan deal valued at €2 million with a €30 million purchase option, with Vaz negotiating personal terms with the English club. Manu Koné remains a retention priority, though reports from Spain suggest José Mourinho's interest at Real Madrid—though Madrid must first create squad space.

John Galantic, Roma's new chief executive, spoke publicly for the first time since the Champions League league-phase draw on 27 August, expressing confidence that the club can compete at Europe's highest level. Addressing the media after the draw, Galantic commented on Roma's opponents and gave an update on the final days of the summer transfer window under head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Galantic described his first month in the role as intense, encompassing both the transfer market and pre-season preparations. He confirmed that Gasperini—a perfectionist by nature—continues to demand more from the squad despite praising the players who have already arrived. Roma made a strong start to their Serie A campaign and now face a demanding European fixture list. Galantic stressed the club's ambition: "The Roma must always be in the Champions League," he said, and indicated the club remains alert to late opportunities in the market. "Winners are always demanding and that is better," Galantic stated. "We are vigilant in these final days of the transfer market and we will see if there are opportunities. Gasperini has also said he is happy with the players who arrived and that we are stronger than last year." Galantic, a Roma supporter since childhood, expressed his honour at the role and thanked the fans, squad, Gasperini and the entire staff for the club's Champions League qualification. On the challenge ahead, he acknowledged that all opponents are formidable but singled out fixtures against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as particularly compelling encounters. "Great emotion," he said of his first weeks. "It is a baptism of fire, between the transfer market and pre-season, but it is good to understand the sporting reality well, because that is where value is created."