Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League returns for the 2025-26 season with a revolutionary new format, promising more matches, more drama, and more opportunities for football fans to follow their team across the continent. With an expanded field of 36 teams and a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage last season, this season once again is set to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting yet.

Here at Sports Tourist, we’ve broken down everything you need to know to plan your ultimate European football pilgrimage. From key dates to a rundown of all the teams, their legendary stadiums, and travel highlights, consider this your essential guide for the new season.

The New Format: Key Dates You Need to Know

Gone are the days of the eight four-team groups. The new format sees all 36 teams compete in a single league, with each side playing eight matches against eight different opponents—four at home and four away. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will battle it out in a two-legged knockout play-off to secure their spot.

Mark your calendars with these critical dates for the 2025-26 campaign:

League Phase Matchdays:

• 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

Knockout Phase:

• 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 – Puskás Aréna, Budapest

The Teams: A Preview of the 36 Contenders

The expanded league phase brings new faces and old foes together. Here is a preview of the confirmed qualified teams, their home stadiums, and a travel highlight to inspire your trip.

England

• Liverpool (Anfield, Liverpool): As the reigning English champions after a dominant season, Liverpool enters as one of the top seeds and looks to add to its storied European history in the new format. Visit The Beatles Story museum and take in the stunning views from the top of the Liverpool Cathedral.
• Arsenal (Emirates Stadium, London): After a strong 2024-25 season finishing as Premier League runners-up, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for the third consecutive year. Combine a match with a tour of historic sites like the Tower of London and the British Museum.
• Manchester City (Etihad Stadium, Manchester): A top-three finish in the Premier League ensures Manchester City returns to Europe’s top competition. Dive into the city’s rich musical history, from the Smiths to Oasis, or explore the Northern Quarter.
• Chelsea (Stamford Bridge, London): Having secured a top-four finish in the Premier League, Chelsea returns to Europe’s top competition. Explore the vibrant culture of West London and its famous King’s Road, or catch a show in the West End.
• Tottenham Hotspur (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London): Having qualified for the Champions League after winning the Europa League, securing their first major trophy in 17 years, Tottenham will be a formidable opponent. Experience the incredible stadium tour and explore the nearby vibrant markets of London.
• Newcastle United (St. James’s Park, Newcastle): A dramatic late push in the league saw Newcastle secure a qualification spot, marking their return to the competition. Walk the iconic Quayside, visit the Angel of the North, and enjoy the city’s famously lively nightlife.

Spain

• Barcelona (Camp Nou, Barcelona): As the 2024-25 La Liga champions, Barcelona’s first-place finish ensures their direct qualification to the new league phase. Marvel at Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and stroll through the Gothic Quarter before heading to the match.
• Real Madrid (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid): Real Madrid’s second-place finish in La Liga ensured their qualification and they will be a formidable contender for the title. Take in a flamenco show and explore the beautiful Parque del Buen Retiro.
• Atlético de Madrid (Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid): A consistent presence in the competition, Atlético qualified comfortably through their high La Liga finish. Discover the Royal Palace and the world-class art at the Prado Museum.
• Athletic Club (San Mamés, Bilbao): After a strong league finish, Athletic Club qualified for the Champions League for the first time in many years. Wander through the Guggenheim Museum and indulge in the city’s renowned Basque pintxos.
• Villarreal (Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal): A strong league finish saw Villarreal secure a surprising but deserved spot. Relax on the stunning beaches of Benicàssim or visit the city of Valencia just a short train ride away.

Germany

• Bayern Munich (Allianz Arena, Munich): As the reigning Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich will be seeking to reclaim the German football throne on the European stage. Oktoberfest is a must-see if you’re there in the autumn, otherwise explore the beautiful English Garden.
• Bayer Leverkusen (BayArena, Leverkusen): A second-place finish in the Bundesliga ensures Bayer Leverkusen looks to continue their dominant form on the European stage. Use Leverkusen as a base to explore nearby Cologne with its magnificent cathedral or Düsseldorf with its vibrant art scene.
• Eintracht Frankfurt (Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt): A consistent performer in recent European competitions, Frankfurt qualified by finishing in the top three of the Bundesliga. Climb the Main Tower for panoramic city views and explore the historic Römerberg square.
• Borussia Dortmund (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund): After finishing fourth in the league, Dortmund will rely on the support of their famous “Yellow Wall” to fuel another European run. Witness the legendary “Yellow Wall,” then explore the industrial heritage of the Ruhr area.

Italy

• Napoli (Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples): After winning the Serie A title, Napoli solidified their status as a dominant force in Italy and earned a direct spot in the Champions League. Combine your trip with a visit to the ancient ruins of Pompeii or the stunning Amalfi Coast.
• Inter Milan (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan): Inter Milan qualified by finishing second in Serie a, and they will be looking to secure the coveted European trophy. Explore the high fashion and art of Milan, including the Duomo di Milano and Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
• Atalanta (Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo): Atalanta secured their spot by finishing in the top three of Serie A, continuing their impressive rise as a European contender. Take a funicular up to the stunning Città Alta (Upper City) and explore its medieval streets.
• Juventus (Allianz Stadium, Turin): A strong domestic season saw Juventus return to the top of Italian football by finishing in the top four, earning a direct spot in the Champions League. Discover the royal palaces, indulge in fine Italian chocolate, and see the famous Shroud of Turin.

France

• Paris Saint-Germain (Parc des Princes, Paris): As the defending Champions League champions and the dominant force in French football, PSG will be looking to secure the coveted European trophy once more. Visit the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and enjoy the magical atmosphere of the city of lights.
• Marseille (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille): After a successful domestic season, Marseille qualified through their Ligue 1 position, bringing their passionate fanbase to the European stage. Stroll through the historic Vieux-Port and visit the stunning Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
• AS Monaco (Stade Louis II, Monaco): A solid Ligue 1 finish saw Monaco secure a place in the new-look Champions League. Experience the glamorous life of the French Riviera with a visit to the Monte Carlo Casino and the Prince’s Palace.

Netherlands

• PSV Eindhoven (Philips Stadion, Eindhoven): As Eredivisie champions, PSV secured a direct spot, continuing to challenge for domestic and European honors. Explore the city’s innovative design scene and visit the Philips Museum, where the global technology giant was founded.
• AFC Ajax (Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam): Ajax secured their qualification by finishing as Eredivisie runners-up, and they’ll be hoping to replicate their historic European runs. Take a canal cruise, visit the Anne Frank House, and cycle through the charming streets of Amsterdam.

Other European Teams

• Sporting CP (Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal): Having won the Primeira Liga title, Sporting CP enters the Champions League as a top seed. Discover the Alfama district, listen to Fado music, and enjoy the delicious pastries of Lisbon.
• Benfica (Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal): A strong second-place finish in the Primeira Liga earned Benfica their spot in the league phase. Take a tram ride through the city and explore the historic Belém Tower.
• FK Bodø/Glimt (Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø, Norway): Bodø/Glimt qualified by winning the Eliteserien, a remarkable feat for a club from the Arctic Circle. This marks the club’s first time in the competition’s league stage. Chase the Northern Lights and experience the stunning Arctic landscapes.
• FC Kairat Almaty (Almaty Central Stadium, Almaty, Kazakhstan): After winning the Kazakhstan Premier League, Kairat Almaty made it all the way through the qualifying stages to make their mark on the European stage for the first time. Hike the breathtaking Tien Shan mountains and discover the city’s unique blend of Soviet and modern architecture.
• Club Brugge KV (Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges, Belgium): Club Brugge qualified as Belgian Pro League runners-up and will be a familiar face in European competition. Step back in time in this fairytale-like city with its canals and cobblestone streets.
• Union Saint-Gilloise (Stade Joseph Marien, Brussels, Belgium): A remarkable season saw Union Saint-Gilloise win the Belgian Pro League, earning them a place in the Champions League for the first time in modern history. Indulge in Belgian waffles, chocolates, and beers, and admire the Grand-Place.
• Slavia Prague (Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic): By winning the Czech First League title, Slavia Prague returns to the Champions League and will be a team to watch out for. Walk across the Charles Bridge, visit Prague Castle, and enjoy the city’s enchanting medieval architecture.
• Qarabağ FK (Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku, Azerbaijan): After winning the Azerbaijan Premier League, Qarabağ returns to the Champions League to represent their nation. Wander through the ancient Old City and see the Flame Towers light up the skyline at night.
• FC Copenhagen (Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark): FC Copenhagen’s Danish Superliga title earned them a spot in the competition after a successful run through the qualifying rounds. Explore the colourful Nyhavn harbour and visit the iconic Little Mermaid statue.
• Olympiacos (Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece): Olympiacos secured their Champions League spot by winning the Greek Super League title. Take a ferry to the beautiful Greek islands or explore the ancient history of Athens, including the Acropolis.
• Galatasaray (Nef Stadyumu, Istanbul, Turkey): As Turkish champions, Galatasaray qualified directly and will be a tough opponent with the support of their intimidating home crowd. Explore the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and experience the vibrant Grand Bazaar.
• Pafos FC (Stelios Kyriakides Stadium, Paphos, Cyprus): A historic season saw Pafos FC win the Cypriot First Division, qualifying them for the Champions League for the first time. Visit the ancient mosaics and sunbathe on the beautiful Mediterranean beaches.

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season is more than just a competition; it’s a passport to some of Europe’s most beautiful and vibrant cities. The new format offers an unparalleled opportunity to see your favourite team take on diverse opponents in a wide range of settings. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual traveller, the Champions League is the perfect excuse for a European adventure.

Which team are you most excited to see play in the Champions League this season?

Last Updated on August 28, 2025 by Sports Tourist