The draw for the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League took place this Monday in Nyon on Monday. OGC Nice is now experiencing its first European challenge.
The gym is fixed. OGC Nice is now experiencing the first stage in its European career. This Monday, July 21, 2025, the draw for the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League was held in Nyon, Switzerland. Qualified thanks to their fourth place in Ligue 1 during the 2024-2025 season, the Aiglons dream of joining the group phase of the most prestigious competitions. But the walk promises to be high.
No seeded, the French Riviera had several formidable potential opponents: Bruges, Feyenoord, the Glasgow Rangers or even Panathinaikos. The draw was not mild. The Niçois will have to measure themselves in Benfica, a Portuguese giant and accustomed to European games, second in Liga Portugal last season behind Sporting.
The double confrontation will be disputed on August 5 or 6 in Nice, at the Allianz Riviera, then on August 12 at the Luz stadium, in Lisbon. After these two games, OGC Nice will also launch its Ligue 1 season with a trip to Toulouse, scheduled for Saturday August 16.
Allianz Riviera to launch the battle
A qualification against Benfica would allow Franck Haise players to access the Tour de dams, last step before the group phases, where PSG, OM and AS Monaco are already qualified. In the event of failure in this 3rd round or the dam, the Niçois would automatically be donated to the Europa League, where they would join Lille and OL.
This draw marks the beginning of a crucial summer for the OGC Nice. Faced with an experienced and formidable opponent, the Aiglons will have to be up to the event if they want to offer a place among the European elite. A challenge commensurate with the club’s ambitions.
