Champions League Guide 2025/26: League Phase Teams, Dates & Format

As the new season approaches, the excitement is building for fantasy managers across the globe. Champions League Guide 2025/26: League Phase Teams, Dates & Format is your all-in-one breakdown of everything you need to know before Matchday 1 kicks off.

With a brand-new format in place, top European clubs lining up, and fantasy strategies evolving, this guide will walk you through the confirmed teams, schedule, and what’s at stake in UEFA’s revamped elite competition.

Which Teams Are in the League Phase of the 2025/26 Champions League?

A total of 29 teams have qualified automatically for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, either through their domestic league positions or by winning European competitions. That includes Paris Saint-Germain, who earned automatic entry as both Champions League winners and via their domestic league finish. As a result, UEFA implemented its usual rebalancing process to account for the overlap.

Two additional places were filled using the European Performance Spots, rewarding associations whose clubs performed best across UEFA competitions in the previous season. The final seven places will be filled through the qualifying rounds, set to conclude by late August.

Here’s the list of automatically qualified teams so far:

England

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle

Spain

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal

Italy

Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus

Germany

Bayern München, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund

France

Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco

Netherlands

PSV, Ajax

Portugal

Sporting CP

Belgium

Union Saint-Gilloise

Türkiye

Galatasaray

Czechia

Slavia Praha

Greece

Olympiacos

Key Dates: 2025/26 Champions League League Phase Schedule

The league phase replaces the previous group stage and will feature eight matchdays spread across the autumn and early winter:

Matchday 1: 16-18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September-1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21/22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4/5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 25/26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9/10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20/21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026

Fantasy managers can expect player rotation, injury surprises, and fixture congestion – making early team planning crucial.

Knockout Phase Timeline

From February onward, the top-ranked teams will battle it out in the knockout rounds:

Knockout Play-offs: 17/18 & 24/25 February 2026
Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026
Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026
Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026
Final: 30 May 2026 – Budapest, Hungary

Where Is the Final?

The 2026 UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This will be the first time Hungary hosts the final of Europe’s top club competition. The stadium previously hosted the 2023 UEFA Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma.

What Does the Winner Get?

Beyond lifting the iconic 7.5kg trophy, the 2025/26 Champions League winner will:

Automatically qualify for the 2026/27 UCL league phase
Play in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup vs the Europa League winner

Fantasy Managers: Start Preparing Now

With a new format, more matchdays, and top clubs from across Europe, the 2025/26 Champions League campaign offers more variables than ever for fantasy managers. Squad depth, fixture rotation, and spotting budget-friendly starters will be key to climbing the ranks.