The 2026–27 UEFA Champions League marks the 72nd edition of Europe's premier football tournament, organized by UEFA, and the 35th since its rebranding from the European Cup. This season promises to be an exciting one as teams from across the continent vie for the prestigious title.

Final Details and Automatic Qualifications

The final of the tournament is scheduled for 5 June 2027, taking place at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain. This will be the second occasion that the stadium has hosted the UEFA Champions League final, having previously done so in 2019. The champions of the 2026–27 season will not only lift the trophy but will also secure automatic qualification for several prestigious competitions, including the 2027–28 UEFA Champions League league phase, the 2027 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup group stage. Additionally, they will earn the right to compete against the winners of the 2026–27 UEFA Europa League in the 2027 UEFA Super Cup.

Team Participation and Allocation

A total of 81 teams from 53 of the 55 UEFA member associations are expected to participate in this season's Champions League. Notably, Liechtenstein does not have a domestic league, and Russia is currently suspended from UEFA competitions. The allocation of teams is determined by the UEFA association coefficients, with the top associations receiving the most entries. Associations ranked 1 to 5 will each have four teams, while association 6 will have three teams. Associations ranked 7 to 15 will each have two teams, and associations ranked 16 to 55, excluding Russia and Liechtenstein, will each have one team.

Additionally, the winners of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League and the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League will receive an extra entry if they do not qualify through their domestic leagues. The two associations with the highest coefficients from the 2025–26 season will also gain an additional European Performance Spot in the league phase.

As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling season of football, culminating in the grand final in Madrid.