Which teams are in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League? Confirmed clubs, league phase stage, tournament rules and format

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League marks the second edition of the competition under its new-look format, replacing traditional groups with a single 36-team league table. This restructured “Swiss system” format brings more games, more drama, and a broader spread of Europe’s best clubs in action before the knockout rounds begin.

A total of 29 clubs gained automatic entry into the league phase, with heavyweights such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and PSG already locked in. Seven more clubs will join them through the play-off rounds, wrapping up in late August. The league phase officially got underway on September 16, 2025, following a summer packed with qualification rounds.

Fans had their first taste of the key matchups on August 28, when UEFA staged the league-phase draw at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum. The road to European glory will end at the iconic Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, where the 2026 final is set for May 30.

Teams in Champions League league phase 2025/26

Nine clubs have already secured their spots in the Champions League league stage for 2025–26 through their domestic league finishes:

• Barcelona (Spain)
• Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
• Bayern Munich (Germany)
• Inter Milan (Italy)
• Atalanta (Italy)
• Marseille (France)
• AS Monaco (France)
• PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
• Ajax (Netherlands)
• Atletico Madrid (Spain)
• Liverpool (England)
• Napoli (Italy)
• Tottenham (England)
• Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
• Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
• Galatasaray (Türkiye)
• Sporting CP (Portugal)
• Olympiacos (Greece)
• Athletic Bilbao (Spain)
• Villarreal (Spain)
• Paris Saint-Germain (France)
• Real Madrid (Spain)
• Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
• Chelsea (England)
• Manchester City (England)
• Juventus (Italy)
• Newcastle United (England)
• Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium)

Joining them will be the defending Champions League title holders, the Europa League winners from the 2024–25 season, two clubs earning places through European Performance Spots, and seven teams emerging from the play-off rounds, which conclude on August 27, 2025.

2025/26 Champions League teams by nation

Here’s a look at the clubs already confirmed and how they’re distributed by country:

• Spain (5): Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal
• Germany (4): Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund
• Italy (4): Inter Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Juventus
• England (6): Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle
• France (3): Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, AS Monaco
• Netherlands (2): PSV Eindhoven, Ajax Amsterdam
• Türkiye (1): Galatasaray
• Greece (1): Olympiacos
• Portugal (1): Sporting CP
• Czech Republic (1): Slavia Prague
• Belgium (1): Union Saint-Gilloise

As the tournament progresses, more nations will be represented through the addition of title holders, Europa League champions, and successful qualifiers. In total, 36 clubs from 18 UEFA associations will compete in this expanded league stage.

Champions League 2025/26 First Qualifying Round Teams

Champions Path

• Malmo FF (Sweden)
• Milsami Orhei (Moldova)
• Shelbourne (Ireland)
• Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia)
• Zalgiris (Lithuania)
• Levadia Tallinn (Estonia)
• The New Saints (Wales)
• FCSB (Romania)
• Drita (Kosovo)
• Noah (Armenia
• Breidablik (Iceland)
• Hamrun Spartans (Malta)
• Dinamo Minsk (Belarus)
• Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro)
• Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria)
• Kairat (Kazakhstan)
• RFS (Latvia)
• Linfield (N. Ireland)
• Iberia 1999 (Georgia)
• Shkendija (N. Macedonia)
• Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar)
• Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• KuPS (Finland)
• Vikingur (Faroe Islands)
• Differdange (Luxembourg)
• Egnatia (Albania)
• Inter Club d'Escaldes (Andorra)
• Virtus (San Marino)

When did the Champions League league phase start?

The brand-new league phase for the 2025–26 Champions League kicked off on September 16, 2024. Unlike the former group stage, every team now plays eight different opponents, with results contributing to a single league table that determines who advances to the knockout rounds.

When are the Champions League draws in 2025/26

UEFA scheduled a number of important draws in the buildup to the tournament and during the competition itself. Here’s a full breakdown of confirmed draw dates:

• First qualifying-round draw: June 17, 2025
• Second qualifying-round draw: June 18, 2025
• Third qualifying-round draw: July 21, 2025
• Play-off round draw: August 4, 2025
• League phase (main draw): August 28, 2025 — held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco

Draws for the round of 16, quarterfinals, and semi-finals will be conducted in early 2026, with exact dates to be announced by UEFA as the tournament advances.

Where is the 2026 Champions League final?

The biggest night in European club football is heading to Budapest. The 2026 UEFA Champions League Final will take place at the Puskás Aréna on May 30, 2026. Known for its modern design and electric atmosphere, the Hungarian capital’s flagship stadium is set to host its first Champions League final — a historic occasion for the venue and the city.