The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League is in its decisive knockout phase as of April 2026, with the final scheduled for May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. The season introduced a restructured league phase featuring 36 teams, replacing the traditional group stage format that had been in place since 1992.
Eight teams remain in contention following the completion of the Round of 16 in mid-March. Arsenal, Bayern München, Atlético de Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain advanced alongside other clubs, setting the stage for high-profile quarter-final and semi-final clashes through April and May.
The competition began with qualifying rounds in July 2025, transitioned through an eight-matchday league phase concluding on January 28, 2026, and now moves toward its climax with semi-final first legs scheduled for late April. Complete fixture details, results, and official scheduling information are maintained by UEFA.
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Group Stage
The league phase, which replaced the traditional group stage format beginning with the 2024/25 season, featured 36 teams competing across eight matchdays from September 2025 through January 2026. Teams were seeded into a single league table, with the top 24 sides advancing directly to the knockout rounds or knockout play-offs depending on their finishing positions.
The restructured league phase allows all 36 participating clubs to play a minimum of four home and four away matches against different opponents, determined by a draw held on August 28, 2025. This represents a significant departure from the previous four-team group format.
Season Overview
2025–26 (71st edition)
36-team league phase
36 clubs
Puskás Aréna, Budapest
Key Insights
- The league phase concluded on January 28, 2026, with 36 clubs having competed across eight matchdays
- Top 24 teams from the league phase advanced to the knockout rounds, with positions determining seeding
- The knockout play-off round featured clubs finishing 9th through 24th against those placed 25th through 36th
- Qualifying began in July 2025 with multiple preliminary rounds before the league phase commenced in September
- Draws were conducted on key dates: August 28, 2025 for the league phase, January 30, 2026 for knockout play-offs, and February 27, 2026 for the Round of 16 onwards
- The semi-final second legs are scheduled for May 5/6, 2026, with the final set for May 30
Key Dates and Schedule
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Start | July 8, 2025 |
| League Phase Start | September 16–18, 2025 |
| League Phase End | January 28, 2026 |
| Knockout Play-offs | February 17/18 & 24/25, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026 |
| Final | May 30, 2026 (Budapest) |
Champions League Final 2025
The 2025/26 Champions League final is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This marks a significant moment for Hungarian football, as the venue last hosted major European competition events during the 2020 UEFA Nations League finals.
Puskás Aréna, located in Budapest, has a seating capacity exceeding 67,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in Central Europe. The venue was completed in 2019, replacing the previous Ferenc Puskás Stadium, and has hosted numerous international matches including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA European Championship fixtures.
Final Venue Details
The decision to host the final in Budapest aligns with UEFA’s strategy of rotating finals across European cities while prioritizing venues capable of accommodating large spectator numbers. Ticket information and availability for the final should be confirmed through official UEFA channels as the date approaches.
Official sources recommend checking UEFA’s website directly for ticket availability and purchasing options for Champions League matches including the final. Specific sales details and eligibility criteria are managed through UEFA’s ticketing platform.
Round of 16 Champions League 2025/26
The Round of 16 featured eight first-leg matches played on March 10 and 11, 2026, with second legs following on March 17 and 18. The draw for this stage took place on February 27, 2026, determining the match pairings based on league phase finishing positions.
First Leg Results (March 10–11)
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Galatasaray vs Liverpool | 1-0 |
| Atalanta vs Bayern München | 1-6 |
| Atlético de Madrid vs Tottenham | 5-2 |
| Newcastle vs Barcelona | 1-1 |
| Leverkusen vs Arsenal | 1-1 |
| Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP | 3-0 |
| Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea | 5-2 |
| Real Madrid vs Manchester City | 3-0 |
Bayern München’s emphatic 6-1 victory over Atalanta and Atlético de Madrid’s 5-2 win against Tottenham highlighted the round’s most commanding performances. Real Madrid’s 3-0 result against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-2 victory over Chelsea also produced decisive margins heading into the second legs.
Liverpool faced elimination after a surprise 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul, while the English club later bounced back with a strong league phase campaign this season. Detailed round-by-round results are available through UEFA’s official fixtures and results page.
Quarter-Final First Legs
Quarter-final first legs took place on April 7 and 8, 2026, producing notable results across all four matches. Arsenal secured a 1-0 advantage over Sporting CP at Estádio José Alvalade, while Bayern München claimed a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Atlético de Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-0 in their first leg, establishing a comfortable cushion heading into the return fixture. Paris Saint-Germain took a 2-0 lead over Liverpool following their match at Parc des Princes on April 8. The complete knockout bracket and dates are maintained by ESPN alongside official UEFA sources.
UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Table
The league phase concluded with 36 teams having competed across eight matchdays. The top 24 clubs advanced directly to the knockout rounds, with positions determining seeding for subsequent draws. Full standings and detailed statistics for the 2025/26 Champions League table are available through official UEFA channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has the Champions League format changed for 2025/26?
The 2025/26 season features a restructured league phase with 36 teams instead of the traditional 32-team format. Each club plays eight matches across the league phase, meeting different opponents at home and away, before the top 24 sides advance to the knockout rounds. The format, introduced in the 2024/25 season, replaced the long-standing four-team group stage.
How can I buy tickets for the Champions League final 2026?
Tickets for the 2025/26 Champions League final on May 30 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest should be purchased through UEFA’s official ticketing platform. Official sources recommend checking uefa.com directly for ticket availability, purchasing options, and eligibility criteria as the final approaches.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.