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

Overview of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League Season

The UEFA Champions League, formerly called the European Cup, begins its 72nd season in 2026/27. This marks the 35th season under the Champions League name and the third using the league phase format. The competition started on 7 July 2026 and will conclude with the final on Saturday, 5 June 2027.

Teams Competing in the League Phase

Here are the teams expected to take part in the league phase of the 2026/27 Champions League, based on sporting results. This list is provisional and does not include any potential changes due to disciplinary or licensing issues. Russian clubs remain suspended from UEFA competitions at this time.

• 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 Dates

• 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 Stage 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

2027 Final Location

The Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid will host the 2027 final. This venue, home to Atlético de Madrid since 2017, has previously hosted the Champions League final in 2019 when Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0. Madrid will host its sixth Champions League final, second only to London among cities.

What the Winners Receive

The champions will lift the UEFA Champions League trophy, which stands 73.5cm tall and weighs 7.5kg. The winning club will secure a spot in the 2027/28 Champions League league phase if they haven't already qualified through their domestic league. Additionally, in August 2027, the winners will compete against the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League champions in the UEFA Super Cup.