Teams Set to Compete in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League

The upcoming 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is shaping up to be a thrilling competition, introducing a significant format change. The tournament will expand from 32 to 36 teams in its initial league phase, promising more matches, heightened drama, and a broader representation of clubs from across Europe on the sport`s biggest continental stage.

As domestic football seasons wrap up across the continent, the lineup of qualified clubs is starting to become clear. Teams are securing their spots based on their final league standings, by winning major titles, and through the newly introduced “European Performance Spots” awarded to nations with strong collective results in UEFA competitions.

Teams Qualified for 2025-26 Champions League

Several prominent clubs have already booked their place in the 2025-26 Champions League. From the English Premier League, Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Chelsea are currently positioned to qualify directly based on league performance. England also secured one of the additional European Performance Spots due to its clubs` excellent performance in UEFA competitions during the 2024-25 season, which grants a place in the tournament to the team finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Spain`s La Liga sees Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and Athletic Club set for direct qualification. Villarreal is also expected to participate, benefiting from Spain earning the second European Performance Spot.

Italy`s Serie A will be represented by Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Juventus. Germany`s Bundesliga qualifiers include Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Dortmund.

France will have three clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Monaco, all confirmed through their Ligue 1 positions. The Netherlands sends Ajax and PSV. Other confirmed participants include Portugal’s Sporting CP, Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise, Türkiye’s Galatasaray, and Czech side Slavia Praha. Greece’s Olympiacos has secured a spot due to rebalancing rules that apply when a Champions League or Europa League winner also qualifies domestically.

The winners of the 2024-25 Champions League and Europa League will also gain automatic entry, with these teams yet to be determined.

Table based on qualification status as of May 18, 2025

What Are the European Performance Spots?

Introduced as part of UEFA`s updated competition structure, the European Performance Spots (EPS) are awarded annually to the two national associations whose clubs collectively achieve the best results across all UEFA men`s club competitions during the preceding season. This is calculated based on the association club coefficient for the specific season, determined by dividing the total coefficient points earned by all clubs from an association by the number of participating clubs from that nation.

The two associations with the highest average coefficients at the conclusion of the season receive one additional automatic qualification place for the Champions League league phase in the subsequent year. This extra spot is given to the highest-ranked team in that nation`s domestic league who has not already qualified directly through their final league position.

For the 2025-26 season, England and Spain have secured the top two positions in the 2024-25 association club coefficient rankings. Consequently, both nations have been granted an EPS, enabling clubs like Chelsea and Villarreal, respectively, to join their fellow domestic qualifiers in the expanded 36-team league phase.

When Will the 2025-26 Champions League Begin?

The journey towards the 2025-26 Champions League league phase starts early with the first qualifying rounds. These preliminary matches are scheduled to commence on July 8, 2025. Teams from various national leagues will compete in the Champions Path and League Path qualifiers, vying for one of the seven remaining berths in the main tournament. The new format features a total of 36 teams in the primary league stage, an increase from the previous 32.

The new league phase itself is set to kick off on September 16, 2025. Under the revamped system, each of the 36 teams will play eight matches against eight different opponents, replacing the former group stage format where teams played three opponents home and away.

Where and When Will the 2025-26 Champions League Final Be Held?

The culmination of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season will take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This marks the first time the Hungarian capital will host the prestigious Champions League final, promising a historic event for both the city and the country. The final match is scheduled for May 30, 2026, bringing to a close a season played under UEFA`s innovative new competition structure.

With its expanded format, fresh contenders, and the selection of Budapest as the final host city, the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season is poised to deliver memorable moments from the opening qualifiers through to the final whistle.