The Champions League, which we so dramatically won back in May, 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 2021/22 Champions League group stage takes place on Thursday 26 August in Istanbul, Turkey from 5pm UK time. Chelsea legends Michael Essien and Branislav Ivanovic will be helping conduct the draw.

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 by 11am on Saturday 30 August.

When are the Champions League group stage rounds scheduled for?

The group stage fixtures will revert back to the usual format, having been played in consecutive midweeks last season.

Matchday 1: 14/15 SeptemberMatchday 2: 28/29 SeptemberMatchday 3: 19/20 OctoberMatchday 4: 2/3 NovemberMatchday 5: 23/24 NovemberMatchday 6: 7/8 December

Which Champions League seeding pot are Chelsea in?

As holders, the Blues are top seeds in Pot 1, along with the champions of the top six European leagues, and the Europa League winners Villarreal.

The rest of the teams are seeded based on their UEFA club coefficients. The full pot picture will be clear after the play-offs are completed this week and we will have a comprehensive guide on who Thomas Tuchel'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 2020/21 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 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 Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia on 28 May 2022.

Where can you watch the Champions League draw?

The draw will be broadcast live on BT Sport and UEFA’s website from 5pm. 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 UEFA Youth League returns in 2021/22, with 64 teams competing for a title last won by Real Madrid in August 2020.

The contenders are split into two paths in the autumn, the UEFA Champions League path and domestic champions path, both of which will be drawn in August and begin in September. They come together for the knockout phase, running from the play-offs on 8 and 9 February to the four-team final tournament in Nyon between 22 and 25 April. The full list of contenders in both paths will be confirmed after the UEFA Champions League play-offs end on 25 August.