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

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

The competition started on 7 July 2026 and will end with the final held at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday, 5 June 2027. Dates are still subject to change.

Teams Participating in the League Phase

Here is the provisional list of clubs set for the league phase based on sporting merit. Note that participation depends on licensing and disciplinary decisions, and Russian teams remain suspended from UEFA competitions.

• Austria: LASK
• Azerbaijan: Sabah
• Belgium: Club Brugge
• Czechia: Slavia Praha
• England: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United
• France: Lens, Lille, Paris
• Germany: Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Stuttgart
• Greece: AEK Athens
• Italy: Como, Inter, Napoli, Roma
• Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV
• 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

League Phase Match Schedule

• 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 Dates

• Play-offs: 16–17 and 23–24 February 2027
• Round of 16: 9–10 and 16–17 March 2027
• Quarter-finals: 6–7 and 13–14 April 2027
• Semi-finals: 27–28 April and 4–5 May 2027
• Final: 5 June 2027

Details About the Final

The final match will take place at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, the home of Atlético de Madrid since 2017. Madrid will host its sixth Champions League final, second time at this stadium, after the 2019 final where Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 to claim their sixth title.

Rewards for the 2026/27 Champions League Winners

• The famous UEFA Champions League trophy, standing 73.5cm tall and weighing 7.5kg.
• A guaranteed spot in the league phase of the 2027/28 Champions League if they haven't qualified through their domestic league.
• An August 2027 appearance in the UEFA Super Cup against the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League.