The UEFA Champions League, previously known as the European Cup, will commence its 72nd season for 2026/27. This will mark the 35th season under its current name and the third utilizing the league phase format. The tournament will begin on July 7, 2026, and will conclude with the final taking place at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
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The participating teams in the league phase include:
- **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, 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
This list is provisional, based on sporting performance, and may change based on disciplinary or licensing issues. All Russian teams remain suspended from UEFA competitions until further notice.
The league phase matches are scheduled as follows:
- Matchday 1: September 8–10, 2026
- Matchday 2: October 13/14, 2026
- Matchday 3: October 20/21, 2026
- Matchday 4: November 3/4, 2026
- Matchday 5: November 24/25, 2026
- Matchday 6: December 8/9, 2026
- Matchday 7: January 19/20, 2027
- Matchday 8: January 27, 2027
The knockout phase schedule is as follows:
- Knockout phase play-offs: February 16/17 & 23/24, 2027
- Round of 16: March 9/10 & 16/17, 2027
- Quarter-finals: April 6/7 & 13/14, 2027
- Semi-finals: April 27/28 & May 4/5, 2027
- Final: June 5, 2027
The final will occur at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid, marking the city's sixth time hosting the Champions League final. The venue previously held the event in 2019 when Liverpool won against Tottenham.
The winners of the 2026/27 Champions League will receive the trophy, which stands 73.5 cm tall and weighs 7.5 kg. Additionally, they will secure a place in the league phase of the 2027/28 Champions League, provided they have not qualified through their domestic league. In August 2027, they will also compete against the Europa League winners in the UEFA Super Cup.