The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League marks the 71st edition of Europe's premier club football tournament, and it is the 34th season since the event was rebranded from the European Cup. This prestigious competition is organized by UEFA and is set to feature a total of 82 teams from 53 of the 55 UEFA member associations, with the exceptions of Liechtenstein and Russia.

Final and Key Dates

The final of the tournament will take place on 30 May 2026 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This venue has previously hosted significant events, including the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, matches during UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2023 UEFA Europa League final. The competition will commence with qualifying rounds from 8 July to 27 August 2025, followed by the main tournament phase starting on 16 September 2025.

Qualification and Participation

In this season, the winners of the UEFA Champions League will secure automatic qualification for the 2026–27 Champions League league phase, the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup group stage. Additionally, they will earn the opportunity to compete against the winners of the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup. Notably, this season is the first to include six clubs from a single nation, with England benefiting from an extra spot due to UEFA coefficient rankings, and Tottenham Hotspur entering after winning the previous season's UEFA Europa League. Paris Saint-Germain will enter as the defending champions, having claimed their first title in the last season.

Statistics and Team Allocation

As of 6 May 2026, the tournament statistics show that 188 matches will be played, with a total of 653 goals scored, averaging 3.47 goals per match. The overall attendance is expected to reach 8,316,661, averaging 44,238 spectators per match. Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid is currently the top scorer with 15 goals. The allocation of teams is determined by the UEFA association coefficients, with associations ranked 1–5 each allowed four teams, while association 6 has three teams, and associations ranked 7–15 have two teams each. Associations ranked 16–55 will have one team each, with additional entries for the winners of the previous season's Champions League and Europa League if they do not qualify through their domestic leagues.

With the tournament set to begin, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting season of elite European football.