How to Run a 2026 UEFA Champions League Bracket Pool: Play for a Dream Trip, Design Your Picks Contest

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 kicks off March 10-11, and bracket fever is already sweeping the soccer world. With the 2026 bracket now live, fans can craft their own UCL knockout-stage predictions, challenge friends and family in private pools, and compete for once-in-a-lifetime prizes—including an all-expenses-paid journey to London that includes match tickets and a behind-the-scenes tour of the UCL Today studio.

Reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain missed out on a top-eight seed, forcing the French giants into the perilous knockout-round playoff. History says repeating is almost impossible: no club has lifted back-to-back trophies since Real Madrid’s three-peat from 2016-18. That stat alone should shape every bracket strategy you deploy this spring.

Where to play CBS Sports has positioned itself as the go-to hub for 2026 Champions League bracket games. Entrants can join the free CBS Sports UEFA Champions League Bracket Challenge for a shot at the London trip, then spin off personal pools on CBSSports.com or the CBS Sports app. Simply hover over the Fantasy tab, click the UCL Bracket Games logo, hit “Create Pool,” customize your settings, and share the auto-generated link with your circle. Brackets lock once the Round of 16 draw is unveiled, so registration is open only until that deadline.

Contenders to consider while filling out your sheet Arsenal FC: The Premier League pacesetters swept all eight league-phase fixtures, posting a competition-best 23-4 goal differential. A six-point cushion atop the domestic table allows Mikel Arteta extra bandwidth to chase European glory, and the Gunners’ top-eight bye means fresh legs entering the knockouts.

Manchester City: The English champions edged into the final seeded spot on 16 points, thanks to a closing 2-0 win over Galatasaray. Erling Haaland—already 22 goals clear in the Premier League golden-boot race—netted in six of eight UCL group games and shapes as the single most frightening matchup for any defense.

With the bracket ready and prizes on the line, the window to build, tweak, and submit your 2026 UEFA Champions League pool is officially open.