Shakhtar Donetsk has secured an automatic spot in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, thanks to the qualification of both Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal through their domestic league standings. This development allows the Ukrainian champions to enter directly into the tournament.

Champions League Rebalancing

The rebalancing of the Champions League format, which will take effect post-2024, emphasizes the significance of club coefficients. These coefficients reflect a club's performance in European competitions over a five-year period. Under the new rules, if the Champions League winners have already qualified through their domestic leagues, the club with the highest coefficient among domestic champions from associations ranked 11 to 55 will gain direct entry into the league phase.

Top Coefficients and Implications

Shakhtar currently holds the highest coefficient among the champions from associations ranked 11 to 55, with a score of 56.250. This positions them favorably for the upcoming season. Other clubs in this category include Crvena Zvezda and GNK Dinamo, both with coefficients of 46.500, and Celtic with a coefficient of 44.000.

As a result of these changes, Shakhtar Donetsk is guaranteed a place in the league phase, marking a significant achievement for the club as they prepare for the next Champions League campaign.