Champions League 2025/26 Preview – Format, Prize Money, and Favourites

The Champions League kicks off this Tuesday with a three-day programme.

The second UCL season will begin with Athletic Bilbao vs. Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven vs. Royale Union SG. The new format was greeted with scepticism during its first campaign but eventually won over clubs, fans, and the media.

How the New UCL Format Works

The group stage now features a single league of 36 teams. Each club plays eight matches - four at home and four away. The top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16, while those placed between ninth and 24th compete in two-legged play-offs for the remaining spots.

The final 16 then progress to the traditional knockout phase.

More Games, More Money

UEFA’s new system was designed to combine sporting excitement with financial growth. The expanded format delivers more fixtures, more unpredictability, more drama and bigger rewards.

Clubs begin the season with a guaranteed €18.6 million each, part of a record €2.5 billion budget allocated to the Champions League.

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UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Money Distribution

• Total budget: €3.3 billion across UEFA competitions

• Champions League share: €2.5 billion

• Participation fee: €18.6 million per club

• Points bonus: €700,000 per point

• Victory bonus: €2.1 million

• Knockout stage progression: €1 million extra per round

• Round of 16: €11 million

• Quarter-finals: €12.5 million

• Semi-finals: €15 million

• Final: €18.5 million

Winner’s bonus: €6.5 million + €4.5 million for UEFA Super Cup entry

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Participating Teams in the 2025/26 Champions League?

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

Turkey: Galatasaray

Czechia: Slavia Praha

Greece: Olympiacos

Denmark: Copenhagen

Norway: Bodø/Glimt

Cyprus: Pafos

Kazakhstan: Kairat Almaty

Azerbaijan: Qarabağ

UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Schedule

• 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

Competitive Balance and Rising Pressure

One of the major surprises from last season was the increased pressure on Europe’s elite clubs. Manchester City and Real Madrid, for example, had to stay cautious throughout to avoid slipping into the play-off zone. While the richest 15 clubs still dominate the race for the trophy, the format has created a narrower margin for error.

Paris Saint-Germain capitalised last season, becoming the first French club ever to win the Champions League. Their triumph broke the long-running dominance of Spanish and English clubs, which had claimed every title since 2010 except Bayern Munich’s in 2020.

Contenders for the 2025/26 Title

PSG return as defending champions and are again among the favourites. Other leading challengers include Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea.

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UCL 2025/26 Knockout Phase Matches

When are the knockout phase matches in the 2025/26 Champions League?

• Knockout phase 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)

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