Champions League 2025/26: Start Dates and New Format Details
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will begin under a fresh structure that changes how Europe's top club tournament unfolds. Instead of the classic group stage, this season introduces a league phase, creating more matches and new rivalries across the continent.
Paris Saint-Germain enters as the reigning champion, while Tottenham Hotspur joins as the UEFA Europa League winner. A total of 36 clubs will compete for the title, aiming to reach the final set to take place in Budapest.
League Phase Schedule
The league phase consists of eight matchdays, where each team meets different opponents:
- Matchday 1: September 16–18, 2025
- Matchday 2: September 30–October 1, 2025
- Matchday 3: October 21–22, 2025
- Matchday 4: November 4–5, 2025
- Matchday 5: November 25–26, 2025
- Matchday 6: December 9–10, 2025
- Matchday 7: January 20–21, 2026
- Matchday 8: January 28, 2026
The best-performing teams move straight into the Round of 16, while those in the middle enter knockout play-offs to fight for their spot.
Knockout Stages and Final
After the league phase concludes, the knockout rounds begin on these dates:
- Knockout Play-offs: February 17–18 and February 24–25, 2026
- Round of 16: March 10–11 and March 17–18, 2026
- Quarterfinals: April 7–8 and April 14–15, 2026
- Semifinals: April 28–29 and May 5–6, 2026
- Final: May 30, 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest
This will mark the first Champions League final held at Hungary’s national stadium, which previously hosted the 2023 Europa League final.
Draw Dates for the 2025/26 Season
All key draw dates are set:
- First Qualifying Round: June 17, 2025
- Second Qualifying Round: June 18, 2025
- Third Qualifying Round: July 21, 2025
- Play-offs: August 4, 2025
- League Phase Draw: August 28, 2025
- Knockout Play-offs Draw: January 30, 2026
- Round of 16 to Final Draws: February 27, 2026
A Landmark Edition Awaits
The expanded format means more fixtures and unexpected encounters right from the start. Clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and the defending champions PSG headline the competition, all aiming to lift the trophy in Budapest.
