2026/27 UEFA Champions League: Teams, Schedule, Draws, Format, and Final Venue
The UEFA Champions League, formerly known as the European Cup, begins its 72nd season in 2026/27. This marks the 35th season under the current name and the third with the league phase format. The competition started on 7 July 2026 and will conclude with the final at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on Saturday, 5 June 2027. Dates may change as the season progresses.
Teams Participating in the League Phase
The list below shows clubs expected to take part based on sporting merit, without considering any pending disciplinary or licensing decisions. 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 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
Champions League Final Location
The final will be hosted at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. This stadium has welcomed five previous finals, making the 2027 event its sixth. It is the home ground of Atlético de Madrid since 2017. The venue previously held the 2019 final when Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to claim their sixth title. London is the only city to have staged more finals than Madrid.
Prize for the 2026/27 Champions League Winners
The winning team will receive the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy, which stands 73.5 cm tall and weighs 7.5 kg. Alongside the trophy, the champions secure a spot in the 2027/28 Champions League league phase if they do not qualify through their domestic leagues. In August 2027, they will face the winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League in the UEFA Super Cup.
