The first group stage of the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League was played from 12 September to 8 November 2000. 16 winners from the third qualifying round, 10 champions from countries ranked 1–10, and six second-placed teams from countries ranked 1–6 were drawn into eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group advanced to the second group stage, and the third placed team in each group advanced to round 3 of the 2000–01 UEFA Cup.
Seeding was determined by the UEFA coefficients.[1] Clubs from the same association were split between groups A–D and E–H, ensuring that they not play on the same day if possible.
Note: In 1991–92, the competition was still known as the European Cup, but is included as it was the first to use a group stage format. In that season and 1992–93, there was no knockout phase between the group stage and final.