In fact, the Champions League returns in just three weeks' time so here we have all the information you need ahead of Thursday's group stage draw...

When is the Champions League draw?

The draw for the 2020/21 Champions League group stage takes place on Thursday 1 October in Nyon, Switzerland from 4pm UK time.

When will the Champions League group stage fixtures be announced?

The dates and kick-off times for our six group stage fixtures will be released on Friday 2 October, no later than 11pm UK time.

When are the Champions League group stage rounds scheduled for?

The group stage fixtures will be played in consecutive midweeks from late October through to early December, with the exception of a two-week break for international football in November.

Matchday 1: 20/21 OctoberMatchday 2: 27/28 OctoberMatchday 3: 3/4 NovemberMatchday 4: 24/25 NovemberMatchday 5: 1/2 DecemberMatchday 6: 8/9 December

Which Champions League seeding pot are Chelsea in?

The top seeds in Pot 1 are the champions of the top six European leagues along with the holders of the Europa League and Champions League. As Bayern Munich were German and European champions last term, Zenit St Petersburg also join this group.

The rest of the teams are seeded based on their UEFA club coefficients. Chelsea are in Pot 2 so will face one of the top seeds in the group stage. The full pot picture will be clear after the play-offs are completed this week and we will have a comprehensive guide on who Frank Lampard’s Blues could be pitted alongside on the morning of the draw.

How many teams are in the Champions League?

A total of 32 teams compete in the Champions League group stage, 26 qualifying via their 2019/20 league position in domestic competition and a further six coming through the play-off round.

The 32 teams are drawn into eight groups of four for the group stage and play each other both at home and away, with the top two advancing to the Round of 16. Teams cannot face another side from their national association in the group stage.

What are the round dates for the rest of the competition?

The Round of 16 is scheduled to take place in February and early March, with the quarter-finals slated for April and the semi-finals set to be held in late April and early May. The final will take place at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on 29 May 2021.

Where can you watch the Champions League draw?

The draw will be broadcast live on BT Sport and UEFA’s website from 4pm. We will also have the latest information right here on the official Chelsea website, as well as the 5th Stand app and on our social channels.

What about the UEFA Youth League?

The Champions League’s Under-19 mirror competition will be slightly different in format this season owing to the continuing global pandemic and what UEFA have described as ‘existing difficulties in organising the competition and the reluctance for minor players to travel in the current context.’

Instead of a group stage and parallel Domestic Champions pathway, all 64 teams will take part in a straight knockout competition from March 2021, with all rounds played as single-leg ties.