Complete List of UEFA Champions League Winners Since 1955

The UEFA Champions League, Europe's top club football competition, began in 1955 as the European Cup. It was rebranded in 1992 to the Champions League to stop elite clubs from forming a breakaway league. This tournament has crowned 24 different winners, including giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Ajax.

Before 1992, the competition was a knockout format featuring only the champions of each country plus the defending champion. Post-1992, the tournament expanded and transformed into the modern Champions League.

Recent UEFA Champions League Finals

• 2024/25: Paris Saint-Germain beat Inter Milan at Allianz Arena; attendance 64,327
• 2023/24: Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund at Wembley; attendance 86,212
• 2022/23: Manchester City overcame Inter Milan at Ataturk Olympic Stadium; attendance 71,412
• 2021/22: Real Madrid triumphed over Liverpool at Stade de France; attendance 75,000
• 2020/21: Chelsea won against Manchester City at Estadio do Dragao; attendance 14,110
• 2019/20: Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain at Estadio da Luz; no attendance
• 2018/19: Liverpool edged Tottenham Hotspur at Metropolitano Stadium; attendance 63,272
• 2017/18: Real Madrid beat Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium; attendance 61,561
• 2016/17: Real Madrid won versus Juventus at Millenium Stadium; attendance 65,842
• 2015/16: Real Madrid overcame Atlético Madrid at San Siro; attendance 71,942

Notable Champions and Their Stories

Red Star Belgrade - 1991

Though not a major European force now, Red Star Belgrade claimed the European Cup in 1991 by beating Marseille on penalties after a tense final. Their path included victories over Grasshopper, Rangers, Dynamo Dresden, and Bayern Munich. This marked only the second time an Eastern European team had won before the competition changed format.

• Year: 1991
• Final Result: Red Star 0-0 Marseille (5-3 on penalties)

PSV Eindhoven - 1988

PSV captured the European Cup once in 1988, winning a penalty shootout against Benfica. Despite winning just three matches en route, including none from the quarter-finals onwards, they stunned Europe. PSV remains a regular in European competitions but struggles to match the continent’s biggest clubs.

• Year: 1988
• Final Result: PSV 0-0 Benfica (6-5 on penalties)

Aston Villa - 1982

English club Aston Villa has a proud history, having won the European Cup in 1982 by defeating Bayern Munich 1-0. That year marked six consecutive English victories in the competition. Villa have recently returned to the Champions League, sparking hopes of a new era.

• Year: 1982
• Final Result: Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich

Feyenoord - 1970

Feyenoord became the first Dutch club to win the European Cup by beating Celtic 2-1 in 1970 at the San Siro. This victory kicked off a period of Dutch dominance with Ajax following with three straight titles. Feyenoord still competes regularly in the Champions League group stages.

• Year: 1970
• Final Result: Feyenoord 2-1 Celtic

Manchester City - 2023

Manchester City won their first Champions League trophy in 2023 after years of heavy investment. They defeated underdogs Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul, completing a historic treble alongside domestic titles. Pep Guardiola's leadership is expected to keep them among Europe’s best.

• Year: 2023
• Final Result: Manchester City 1-0 Inter Milan

Paris Saint-Germain - 2025

Paris Saint-Germain became consistent Champions League contenders in the 2010s thanks to Qatari financial backing. They finally won their first title in the 2024/25 season with a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, guided by Luis Enrique’s tactics rather than just star players like Neymar or Messi.

• Year: 2025
• Final Result: PSG 5-0 Inter Milan

Borussia Dortmund - 1997

Known for their passionate fanbase, especially the "Yellow Wall," Borussia Dortmund won their sole Champions League title in 1997 by beating Juventus 3-1. They nearly won more, losing finals in 2013 and 2024 to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.

• Year: 1997
• Final Result: Dortmund 3-1 Juventus

Marseille - 1993

Olympique de Marseille won the first official Champions League final in 1993, beating AC Milan 1-0. Their triumph was later overshadowed by a domestic match-fixing scandal, which cost them their French league title but not their European crown.

• Year: 1993
• Final Result: Marseille 1-0 Milan

Steaua București - 1986

Steaua București made history as the first Eastern Bloc team to win the European Cup by beating Barcelona in a penalty shootout in 1986. Helmuth Duckadam’s four saves remain legendary. The Romanian club’s glory night stands out despite their current lower-tier status.

• Year: 1986
• Final Result: Steaua București 0-0 Barcelona (2-0 on penalties)

Hamburg - 1983

Hamburg claimed the European Cup in 1983 with a 1-0 win over Juventus in Athens, ending England’s six-year hold on the trophy. Once a top German side, Hamburg now struggle to return to former glories.

• Year: 1983
• Final Result: Hamburg 1-0 Juventus