Champions League 2025/26: Start Date, Key Moments, and New Format Details
The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 will begin under a fresh format that changes the landscape of Europe's top club tournament. Instead of the familiar group stage, a new league phase will take center stage, delivering more matches, new rivalries, and intense competition across Europe.
This season features Paris Saint-Germain as defending champions, while Tottenham Hotspur enters as the UEFA Europa League winners. A total of 36 teams are set to compete, all aiming to reach the final showdown in Budapest.
Schedule for the League Phase
The revamped league phase includes eight matchdays where each team faces varied opponents:
- 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
Top teams will secure direct spots in the Round of 16, while those ranking in the middle enter knockout play-offs for a chance to progress.
Knockout Stage and Final Details
After the league phase concludes, the knockout rounds unfold with the following dates:
- 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 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest
This marks the first time Hungary's national stadium will host the Champions League final, having previously held the 2023 Europa League final.
Confirmed Draw Dates
The draw timetable is already set 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
- Draws from Round of 16 to Final: February 27, 2026
A Memorable Season Ahead
The expanded setup ensures more matches and surprising clashes from the start. Clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and the holders PSG headline the event, all chasing European triumph in Budapest.
