Champions League 2025-26: The New Format Explained

The UEFA Champions League features a revolutionary format since the 2024-25 season. Here's how it works.

Goodbye Groups, Hello League Phase

The traditional format of 8 groups of 4 teams is gone. Now there are 36 teams in a single table (league phase) where each team plays 8 matches against different opponents — 4 at home and 4 away.

How Do Teams Qualify?

| Table Position | Result | |---------------|--------| | 1st - 8th | Direct qualification to Round of 16 | | 9th - 24th | Knockout playoff (two legs) | | 25th - 36th | Eliminated |

The Top Contenders

Favorites

• Real Madrid: Defending champions with Mbappé, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr.
• Manchester City: The Guardiola era seeks another Champions League.
• Bayern Munich: Always a contender with Musiala and Kane.
• Barcelona: Resurgent with La Masía's golden generation.

Dark Horses

• Inter Milan: Recent finalist, defensively solid.
• Arsenal: Arteta's best version yet.
• PSG: Post-Mbappé but with massive investment.

Key Dates 2025-26

| Phase | Dates | |-------|-------| | League phase | Sep 2025 - Jan 2026 | | Playoff | Feb 2026 | | Round of 16 | Mar 2026 | | Quarter-finals | Apr 2026 | | Semi-finals | Apr-May 2026 | | Final | May 30, 2026, Munich |

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