The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 will mark a historic change in European soccer: for the first time it will be played in a new “League Phase” format, leaving behind the traditional group system.
The new edition will feature 36 clubs from 19 countries competing on a single league table, with the aim of offering more balanced and exciting matches from the first matchday. The decision is part of UEFA ‘s strategy to increase the competitiveness and commercial appeal of the tournament.
Participating teams
Notable representatives of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 include:
England: Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Newcastle
Spain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal.
Italy: Inter, Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta
Germany: Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille and Monaco
Clubs from the Netherlands (PSV, Ajax), Portugal (Benfica, Sporting CP), Belgium (Club Brugge, Union Saint-Gilloise) and Turkey (Galatasaray) will also participate.
Also from the Czech Republic (Slavia Praha), Greece (Olympiacos), Denmark (Copenhagen), Norway (Bodø/Glimt), Cyprus (Paphos), Kazakhstan (Kairat Almaty) and Azerbaijan (Qarabağ).
How the League Phase will work
The new edition will feature 36 clubs from 19 countries
QuéOnnda.com
Each team will play eight games against different opponents (four home and four away).
Once played, a single table will be drawn up:
1st to 8th place: advance directly to the round of 16
9th to 24th place: will play a play-off to qualify for the round of 16
25th to 36th place: they will be eliminated from the tournament.
This system seeks to pit big clubs against each other from the first few rounds and offer a more attractive schedule for fans and television networks.
Key dates of the tournament
League phase:
Day 1: 16-18 Sep 2025
Day 2: 30 Sep-1 Oct 2025
Day 3: 21-22 Oct 2025
Day 4: 4-5 Nov 2025
Day 5: 25-26 Nov 2025
Day 6: 9-10 Dec 2025
Day 7: 20-21 Jan 2026
Day 8: 28 Jan 2026
Elimination rounds:
Play-offs: 17/18 and 24/25 Feb 2026
Round of 16: 10/11 and 17/18 Mar 2026
Quarters: 7/8 and 14/15 Apr 2026
Semifinals: 28/29 Apr and 5/6 May 2026
Final: May 30, 2026
Final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest
The grand final of the 2026 Champions League will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest (Hungary).
It is a modern 67,000-capacity stadium that has already hosted the 2023 Europa League final.
With this new format, UEFA seeks to consolidate the Champions League as the most competitive and followed club tournament in the world.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
