The stage is now set for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. After an intense qualification campaign seven teams have finally secured their place in the competition.
This is the second year of the revamped tournament, which saw a brand-new league phase add new levels of excitement for fans. ECA played a crucial role in the development of the tournament making sure that our Member Clubs were central in the decision-making process.
This season an impressive 91.67% of the participating teams are ECA Members.
Which Teams Qualified for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League?
Let’s take a closer look at the teams who progressed via the qualification route.
Bodø/Glimt became the first Norwegian side since Rosenborg in the 2007/08 season to reach the Champions League group phase. Last season’s UEFA Europa League semi-finalists book their place with a resounding 7-1 aggregate victory over Austrian side Sturm Graz.
Pafos reached the Champions League for the first time in their history with a 3-2 aggregate win over Crvena Zvezda. Brazilian attacker Jajá came off the bench to score a late equaliser to make history for the Cypriot club who were founded in 2014.
FC Kairat made their own history as they edged out former European Cup winners Celtic 3-2 on penalties. Striker Alyaksandr Martynovich showed composure when it mattered most for the Kazakh champions.
Qarabağsurvived a late onslaught from Hungarian side Ferencváros to pick up a 3-2 victory and book their place in the UEFA Champions League tournament. This is not the first time the side from Baku has made it all the way to the group stage having taken on Chelsea, Roma and Atlético Madrid during the 2017/18 season.
Copenhagen progressed to the group stage following a 3-1 aggregate victory over Swiss champions FC Basel. Former Borussia Dortmund attacker Youssoufa Moukoko came off the bench to slot away an 84th minute penalty to wrap up the win.
Club Brugge eased into the league phase with an impressive 9-1 aggregate win over Rangers. Right-back Joaquin Seys scored twice in five minutes as the Belgian side ran out 6-0 winners on the night. While Benfica reached the Champions League final tournament for yet another season following a narrow 1-0 win over Fenerbahçe. Turkish winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored the vital goal.
Who Are the Other Teams That Qualified?
Twenty-five clubs secured their spots through their league positions, while the winners of both the Champions League and Europa League were also guaranteed places.
If a title winner has already qualified through their league finish, the place is reallocated this season with the Champions League winner PSG meaning that Olympiacos have reached the group stage.
On top of that, two extra places went to countries with the best overall performance in Europe last season, and seven more clubs booked their spots through the qualifying rounds.
The full list is below.
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, Dortmund
France: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
Netherlands: PSV, Ajax
Portugal: Benfica*, Sporting CP
Belgium: Club Brugge*, Union Saint-Gilloise
Türkiye: Galatasaray
Czechia: Slavia Praha
Greece: Olympiacos
Denmark: Copenhagen*
Norway: Bodø/Glimt*
Cyprus: Pafos*
Kazakhstan: Kairat Almaty*
Azerbaijan: Qarabağ*
*Play-off winners
When Is the Draw?
The draw for the league phase will take place on Thursday, August 28. It will take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, and will be streamed live on UEFA's website at 6pm CET.
Where is the Final?
The final will be hosted at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. With the final taking place on 30 May 2026, kicking off at 18:00 CET.