2026/27 UEFA Champions League: Teams, Schedule, Draws, Format, and Final Venue

Overview of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League, known before as the European Cup, begins its 72nd season in 2026/27. This marks the 35th season under its current name and the third season following the league phase format.

The tournament started on 7 July 2026 and will conclude with the final match held at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday, 5 June 2027. Dates may still be subject to changes.

Participating Teams in the League Phase

The provisional list of clubs qualified for the league phase is based purely on sporting merit. It does not yet include potential disciplinary or licensing decisions, and the participation of all teams remains subject to confirmation. Notably, Russian clubs remain suspended from UEFA competitions until further notice.

• Austria: LASK
• Azerbaijan: Sabah
• Belgium: Club Brugge
• Czechia: Slavia Praha
• England: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
• France: Lens, Lille, Paris Saint-Germain
• Germany: Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Stuttgart
• Greece: AEK Athens
• Italy: Como, Inter Milan, Napoli, Roma
• Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven
• Norway: Bodø/Glimt, Viking
• Portugal: Porto, Sporting CP
• Slovakia: Slovan Bratislava
• Spain: Atlético de Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis, Real Madrid, Villarreal
• Türkiye: Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray
• Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk

League Phase Matchdays

• Matchday 1: 8–10 September 2026
• Matchday 2: 13–14 October 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 Schedule

• 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

Final Venue Details

The final will be played at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, marking the sixth time the city hosts a Champions League final. The stadium has been home to Atlético de Madrid since 2017 and previously hosted the 2019 final, where Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 to claim their sixth title.

Rewards for the 2026/27 Champions League Winners

The winning team will receive the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy, which stands 73.5cm tall and weighs 7.5kg. If they have not already qualified through their domestic league, they will earn a spot in the league phase of the 2027/28 Champions League.

Additionally, the champions will face the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League in the UEFA Super Cup scheduled for August 2027.