The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League will be the 72nd edition of Europe's premier club football competition and the 35th season since its rebranding from the European Champion Clubs' Cup. It will be the third season under UEFA's 36-team league phase format.
The competition will begin in July 2026 with the qualifying rounds, while the league phase is scheduled to start in September 2026. The final will be played on 5 June 2027 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain.
Defending Champions
Paris Saint-Germain are the defending UEFA Champions League champions after defeating Arsenal in the 2026 final to win their second European Cup title. The 2026-27 champions will qualify automatically for the 2027-28 UEFA Champions League league phase and earn a place in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup.
Format
The UEFA Champions League continues with the 36-team league phase format. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with four matches at home and four away. All teams are ranked in one league table, making every result important for qualification.
The top eight clubs in the league phase qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams finishing from 9th to 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs, while teams placed 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.
The knockout stage consists of two-legged ties from the play-offs through the semi-finals. The final is played as a single match at a neutral venue to decide the champions of Europe.
Schedule
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League is scheduled to begin in July 2026 and conclude with the final on 5 June 2027. The key dates are:
| Phase | Round | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | First qualifying round | 7-8 & 14-15 July 2026 |
| Second qualifying round | 21-22 & 28-29 July 2026 | |
| Third qualifying round | 4-5 & 11 August 2026 | |
| Play-off round | 18-19 & 25-26 August 2026 | |
| League Phase | Matchday 1 | 8-10 September 2026 |
| Matchday 2 | 29-30 September 2026 | |
| Matchday 3 | 20-21 October 2026 | |
| Matchday 4 | 3-4 November 2026 | |
| Matchday 5 | 24-25 November 2026 | |
| Matchday 6 | 8-9 December 2026 | |
| Matchday 7 | 19-20 January 2027 | |
| Matchday 8 | 27 January 2027 | |
| Knockout Phase | Knockout phase play-offs | 16-17 & 23-24 February 2027 |
| Round of 16 | 9-10 & 16-17 March 2027 | |
| Quarter-finals | 6-7 & 13-14 April 2027 | |
| Semi-finals | 27-28 April & 4-5 May 2027 | |
| Final | 5 June 2027 – Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid |
Qualification
A total of 36 clubs will compete in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Teams qualify through their domestic league positions, domestic cup achievements, and UEFA's qualifying rounds. Additional places are allocated based on UEFA association coefficients and club performance in European competitions.
Rewards for Winning the UEFA Champions League 2026/27
The UEFA Champions League winners receive:
- The iconic UEFA Champions League Trophy
- Substantial UEFA prize money and performance bonuses
- Automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League 2027/28 league phase
- A place in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup
- Qualification for future FIFA club competitions, subject to FIFA regulations
- Global recognition as European club champions
Tickets
UEFA will release ticket information for the 2027 UEFA Champions League Final closer to the event. Ticket sales are expected to take place through UEFA's official ticketing portal, with availability depending on category, supporter allocation, hospitality packages, and public ballot procedures.
Fans should follow UEFA's official channels for confirmed details about ticket prices, sales dates, application windows, and final venue access information.
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