Champions League 2026/27 begins in July with 36 clubs and final in Madrid
The ball is about to roll. UEFA have confirmed the full calendar of the 2026/27 Champions League, and the competition kicks off as early as 7 July 2026 — just days after the end of the World Cup. The big names enter the stage from September, when the league phase with 36 teams begins.
A tournament that starts before summer ends
The preliminary rounds stretch across almost two months, opening space for smaller clubs to fight for a place among the giants. The sequence is intense: first qualifying round in July, second and third throughout the month, and the play-offs in August. The draw for the main phase takes place on 27 August, and the favourites’ debut is set for 8 September 2026.
The timing is no coincidence. The European season will launch right after the World Cup, riding the momentum of football still at high temperature. It’s a UEFA strategy to guarantee maximum attention from the very first day.
A new format, already consolidated
The traditional group stage has given way to a league of 36 clubs. Each team plays eight matches — four at home, four away — against different opponents. The top eight advance straight to the round of 16. From 9th to 24th, there is a knockout play-off. The rest are out.
Among those already qualified for the league phase are heavyweight names: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid and Villarreal for Spain; Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa for England; Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig for Germany; Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma for Italy. On the Portuguese side, Porto and Sporting secured a direct spot.
PSG defend the title, Madrid hosts the decider
Paris Saint-Germain arrive as reigning champions. The French club won the 2025/26 edition by beating Arsenal in the final — their second European trophy in a row. Now they defend the cup with the same favouritism as always, alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and City.
The final is scheduled for 5 June 2027, at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. Atlético de Madrid’s arena hosts a Champions League final for the second time — the first was in 2019, when Liverpool beat Tottenham. This time, the stage is already chosen. It remains to be seen who will occupy it.
