2025/26 Champions League: Format, dates, draws, final

In 2025/26, Europe's elite club competition returns for its 71st season and its 34th since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League. It kicks off on 8 July 2025 and runs until the final in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday 30 May 2026.

Please note that dates are subject to change.

How will 2025/26 Champions League qualifying work?

Twenty-nine teams qualify directly for the league phase, with the final seven spots coming through qualifying, culminating in August's play-offs. The stage at which the teams enter qualifying is based on their association club coefficient rankings. All ties are played over two legs.

When are the 2025/26 Champions League qualifying rounds and play-offs?

First qualifying round: 8/9 & 15/16 July 2025
Second qualifying round: 22/23 & 29/30 July 2025
Third qualifying round: 5/6 & 12 August 2025
Play-offs: 19/20 & 26/27 August 2025

Which teams are in the league phase of the 2025/26 Champions League?

Twenty-nine teams qualified automatically, either through their domestic league placing or being holders of the Champions League (Paris Saint-Germain) or UEFA Europa League (Tottenham). Rebalancing was required as Champions League winners Paris also qualified automatically via their domestic league placing.

Full explainer: Champions League winner rebalancing

Two of the places were filled by the European Performance Spots, while the final seven slots will be determined via qualifying.

England: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle
Spain: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
Italy: Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
Germany: Bayern München, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Netherlands: PSV, Ajax
Portugal: Sporting CP
Belgium: Union Saint-Gilloise
Türkiye: Galatasaray
Czechia: Slavia Praha
Greece: Olympiacos

The list above is provisional, based purely on sporting performance and does not account for any potential disciplinary or licensing matters. Therefore, the above is still pending final admittance of clubs to the relevant competitions. All Russian teams are suspended from participation in UEFA competitions until further notice.

When are the league phase matches in the 2025/26 Champions League? 

Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026

When are the knockout phase matches in the 2025/26 Champions League?

Knockout phase play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)

When are the 2025/26 Champions League draws?

First qualifying round: 17 June 2025
Second qualifying round: 18 June 2025
Third qualifying round: 21 July 2025
Play-offs: 4 August 2025
League phase: 28 August 2025
Knockout phase play-offs: 30 January 2026
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final: 27 February 2026

Puskás ArénaUEFA via Getty Images

When and where is the 2026 Champions League final?

The Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, will provide the stage as Champions League action reaches its zenith on 30 May 2026. The stadium also hosted the UEFA Europa League decider in 2023, but this will be the first time that the final of Europe's premier club competition is held in Hungary.

What do the Champions League winners get?

The current UEFA Champions League trophy stands 73.5cm tall and weighs 7.5kg.

The 2025/26 winners also gain a place in the league stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition. They will also earn the right to play against the winners of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup.