Champions League 2025/26: Start Dates, Format Changes, and Key Moments

The upcoming 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will introduce a fresh format that changes the familiar setup of Europe’s top club competition. Instead of the traditional group stage, a new league phase will be used, bringing more matches, novel rivalries, and increased excitement across the continent.

Paris Saint-Germain enters as the reigning champion while Tottenham Hotspur qualifies by winning the UEFA Europa League. A total of 36 clubs will compete for the trophy, culminating in a final scheduled in Budapest.

League Phase Schedule

The league phase consists of eight matchdays, each featuring different opponents for every team:

• 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 highest-ranked teams will move directly into the Round of 16, while those in the middle places must navigate a knockout play-off.

Knockout Stages and Final Details

Following the league phase, the tournament shifts to elimination rounds:

• Knockout Play-offs: February 17–18 and 24–25, 2026
• Round of 16: March 10–11 and 17–18, 2026
• Quarterfinals: April 7–8 and 14–15, 2026
• Semifinals: April 28–29 and May 5–6, 2026
• Final: May 30, 2026 – Puskás Aréna, Budapest

This marks the first time the Puskás Aréna in Hungary will host the Champions League final, having previously held the 2023 Europa League final.

Draw Dates for the Tournament

Key draws have been scheduled as follows:

• 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 Memorable Edition on the Horizon

The expanded format guarantees more matches and unpredictable encounters from the start. Powerhouses like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, alongside defending champions PSG, will all fight for glory in Budapest.