With 29 elite clubs already qualifying for the 36-team league phase, the 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League tournament is rapidly approaching.
The Champions League playoffs will determine the final group of clubs for the season.
Here’s all the information you need to know about the competitors, what comes next, and how to keep up with them.
Playoff Draw Set for August 4: The Champions League playoff draw, which is the next big event on UEFA’s calendar, is set for Monday, August 4, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.
These seven teams will join the elite 29 already qualifying in this pivotal draw.
On UEFA.com, fans can watch the draw live. Seeding details and procedural rules will be available starting at 8:30 CET that day.
The third qualifying round is the final obstacle before the playoffs, with first-leg games on August 5 and 6 and return legs on August 12 and 13.
League Phase 2025–2026 Confirmed Clubs
Arsenal (ENG), Atalanta (ITA), Athletic Club (ESP), Atletico Madrid (ESP), Barcelona (ESP), Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Bayern Munich (GER), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Chelsea (ENG), Galatasaray (TUR), Inter Milan (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Liverpool (ENG), Manchester City (ENG), Marseille (FRA), Monaco (FRA), Napoli (ITA), Newcastle (ENG), Olympiacos (GRE), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Real Madrid (ESP), Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL), Slavia Prague (CZE), Sporting CP (POR), Tottenham Hotspur (ENG), Villarreal (ESP)
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To reach 36 teams, the aforementioned clubs will be joined by seven additional clubs from the playoff round.
The 2025–2026 UEFA Champions League is structured so that the top eight teams from the league phase advance straight to the Round of 16.
No Europa League safety net and elimination of the bottom eight teams.
A knockout playoff is used to decide the final eight slots in the Round of 16 between teams placed 9th and 24th.
After that, the traditional two-legged knockout style takes over, with the final bout taking place in Budapest.
Champions League Dates to Keep in Mind in 2025–2026
Quarterfinal Round Three: August 5–6 (first legs), August 12–13 (second legs)
First legs of the playoffs are August 19–20, while second legs are August 26–27.
August 28 is the League Phase Fixture Draw.
October 16–18 through January 28, 2026 are the League Phase matchdays.
Competition for Knockouts: February 17–25
Draw for the Final Knockout: February 27
March 10–18, round of 16
Qualify Round: April 7–15
May 6–28 is the semi-final date.
Finished: May 30, 2026
On May 30, the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, will host the 2026 UEFA Champions League final. For the first time, the Champions League final will be held at the venue, which can accommodate 67,215.
Guidelines for the 2025–2026 Champions League season:
While UEFA.com continues to provide official coverage and draws, fans can follow all of the qualifiers, fixtures, and updates in real time on websites like Flashscore as the trip to Budapest gets underway.
Also, a number of channels, including Sky, Amazon Prime, DAZN, Canal+, TNT Sports, SuperSport, beIN, and Paramount+, will broadcast live games.
