The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is poised to be a landmark edition, featuring a significant expansion to a 36-team league phase, up from the previous 32. This revised structure promises more matches, heightened competition, and a greater diversity of clubs competing on Europe`s most prominent club football stage.
With domestic seasons now concluded across the continent, the roster of qualified participants is starting to take shape. Teams secure their spots through various avenues, including high league finishes, winning major titles, and via the newly introduced “European Performance Spots” awarded to top-performing nations based on their UEFA coefficients.
Who has qualified for Champions League 2025-26?
A number of clubs have already cemented their place in the 2025-26 Champions League. In the Premier League, based on current standings, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Chelsea are set to qualify directly. Furthermore, England earned one of the additional European Performance Spots due to its clubs` strong performance in European competitions during the 2024-25 season, ensuring the fifth-placed Premier League team also gains entry.
| Country | Teams |
|---|---|
| England | Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Chelsea |
| Italy | Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus |
| Spain | Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club |
| Germany | Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund |
| France | Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco |
| Netherlands | Ajax, PSV |
| Portugal | Sporting CP |
| Belgium | Union Saint-Gilloise |
| Turkey | Galatasaray |
| Czech Republic | Slavia Praha |
| Champions League winner rebalancing | Olympiacos |
| European Performance Spots | Villarreal, Aston Villa |
| Qualifying rounds – champions path | TBC |
| Qualifying rounds – league path | TBC |
From Spain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and Athletic Club have qualified through La Liga. Villarreal is also expected to join them, benefiting from Spain receiving one of the two European Performance Spots.
Italy will be represented by Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus from Serie A. Germany`s qualified teams include Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Dortmund.
France will send three clubs from Ligue 1 to the main competition: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Monaco. Ajax and PSV will represent the Netherlands, while Sporting CP from Portugal, Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium, Galatasaray from Türkiye, and Slavia Praha from the Czech Republic are among other confirmed entrants. Greece`s Olympiacos has secured a place due to the rebalancing rule that applies when the Champions League or Europa League winners qualify domestically.
The winners of the 2024-25 Champions League and Europa League will also automatically qualify for the 2025-26 edition, with these spots yet to be determined.
What are the European Performance Spots?
Following the updated UEFA competition rules, European Performance Spots are allocated to the two football associations whose clubs collectively achieve the best results in UEFA men`s club competitions throughout the season. These spots are based on the association club coefficient for the current campaign, calculated by summing the total coefficient points earned by all clubs from an association and dividing by the number of clubs representing that nation.
The two associations with the highest average scores at the season`s conclusion each receive an additional automatic place in the subsequent year`s Champions League league phase. This extra spot is granted to the highest-ranked team in their domestic league standings that did not otherwise qualify directly.
For the 2025-26 season, England and Spain have solidified their positions in the top two of the 2024-25 association club coefficient rankings. Consequently, both nations have been awarded a European Performance Spot. This means Chelsea and Villarreal will join their fellow domestic qualifiers in the expanded 36-team league phase.
When will Champions League 2025-26 begin?
The journey for the 2025-26 Champions League commences with the first qualifying rounds on July 8, 2025. These initial stages will feature various teams from national leagues competing in the Champions Path and League Path, vying for one of the seven remaining berths in the main tournament. The new format sees 36 teams participating in the main league stage, an increase from the previous 32.
The league phase itself is scheduled to begin on September 16, 2025. Under the new system, each participating team will play eight matches against different opponents, replacing the traditional group stage format.
Where & when will Champions League 2025-26 final be held?
The final match of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season is set to be hosted at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This marks a historic moment as it will be the first time the Hungarian capital stages a Champions League final. The event is scheduled for May 30, 2026, serving as the climax of a season operating under UEFA`s innovative new competition structure.
With a novel format, fresh contenders, and the prestigious Puskás Aréna in Budapest as the venue for the final, the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is shaping up to be an unforgettable campaign from start to finish.
