For the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, twenty-nine teams qualified directly for the league phase, while the remaining seven spots were filled through qualifying rounds. The qualification process included a first, second, and third qualifying round, followed by play-offs, each divided into two paths: the champions path for domestic league winners and the league path for teams from leagues with multiple allocations.
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The UEFA qualification structure ensures representation from a minimum of 37 national associations. Teams eliminated from the Champions League and Europa League qualifying rounds may still compete in the Europa League or Conference League. Those losing in the play-offs of the Champions League and Europa League directly enter their respective league phases.
The qualifying rounds were scheduled as follows:
- **First Qualifying Round**: July 7/8 and July 14/15, 2026 (Draw: June 16)
- **Second Qualifying Round**: July 21/22 and July 28/29, 2026 (Draw: June 17)
- **Third Qualifying Round**: August 4/5 and August 11, 2026 (Draw: July 20)
- **Play-offs**: August 18/19 and August 25/26, 2026 (Draw: August 3)
In the play-off round:
- **Champions Path**: 10 teams engaged, with four joining six winners from the third qualifying round.
- **League Path**: 4 teams involved, consisting of winners from the third qualifying round.
### First Legs (Champions Path)
- Levski Sofia 0-0 AEK Athens
- Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Viking
- Hapoel Beer-Sheva 2-1 Sabah
- Celtic 3-0 LASK
- Slovan Bratislava 1-1 Celje
- N.E.C. 1-3 Bodø/Glimt
### Second Legs
- Sabah 5-2 aet Hapoel Beer-Sheva (agg: 6-4)
- LASK 5-1 aet Celtic (agg: 5-4)
- Bodø/Glimt 3-0 N.E.C. (agg: 6-1)
- AEK Athens 4-0 Levski Sofia (agg: 4-0)
- Viking 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb (agg: 5-3)
- Celje 1-2 aet Slovan Bratislava (agg: 2-3)
- Lyon 1-2 Fenerbahçe (agg: 2-3)
Winning teams advanced to the league phase while losing teams transferred to the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. The subsequent qualifying rounds followed a similar format, with winners advancing and losing teams moving onto the Europa League. This structured approach allows for multiple teams from various national leagues to participate in UEFA competitions.