The dates for the 2020-21 Uefa Champions League and Europa League have not been greatly affected by changes to the calendar brought about by the Covid19 pandemic, with the qualifying stages scheduled to take place from next month as planned.
The deadline for national associations to enter teams to the competitions will be 3 August for both tournaments, although the qualifying rounds of the two competitions will be played in single legs rather than home and away ties. The draw will determine which clubs play the single leg on home turf.
The only exception is the Champions League Play-offs which will remain over two legs. Wales’ entry into the competition is Connah’s Quay Nomads.
After beating The New Saints to the title, the Nomads will be taking on the big boys for the first time in their history, although they have gained significant exposure on the European stage with some notable Europa League performances, beating Kilmarnock 3-2 in the first qualifying phase last season.
The preliminary round of Champions League qualifying will take place from 8-11 August, with the first qualifying round on 18-19 August when the Nomads enter the competition.
The second qualifying round is scheduled for 25-26 August and the third from 15-16 September. Dates for the two-leg play-offs are 22-23 and 29-30 September, with the group stages due to start after 20 October.
The Welsh entries in the Europa League are TNS, Bala Town and Barry Town, who finished fourth in the league and take the nominated spot for the Welsh Cup which had to be been abandoned.
Both Bala and Barry begin their campaigns in the preliminary round on 20 August. Success would see them back in action in the first qualifying phase on 27 August when TNS enter the fray. The second qualifying round is set for 17 September and the third a week later, with the play-offs scheduled for 1 October. The group stage will get underway on 22 October.
A date for the draw for the opening rounds has not yet been set.
Champions League 2020-21
Preliminary round: 8-11 August
First qualifying round: 18-19 August
Second qualifying round: 25-26 August
Third qualifying round: 15-16 September
Play-offs: 22-23 September, 29-30 September
Group stage: 20-21 October, 27-28 October, 3-4 November, 24-25 November, 1-2 December, 8-9 December
Europa League 2020-21
Preliminary round: 20 August
First qualifying round: 27 August
Second qualifying round: 17 September
Third qualifying round: 24 September
Play-offs: 1 October
Group stage: 22 October, 29 October, 5 November, 26 November, 3 December, 10 December
