UEFA Champions League: 2025-26 format, qualifying round fixtures, draw dates, league phase
The first qualifying round has begun in Europe, and familiar names like Malmo, FCSB, and Ludogorets Razgrad playing meaningful games as part of their 2025-25 seasons.
MORE — Chelsea win the 2025-26 Club World Cup
Yes, it'll still be some time before champions Paris Saint-Germain and their big-named chasers join the fray, but we're off and running in the race to Budapest.
For all the details of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, read on....
How does UEFA Champions League qualifying work?
Eighty-two teams will participate in the UEFA Champions League beginning with the first qualifying round in early July.
Ten rounds later, two teams will meet to determine the champion of Europe.
Here's who enters and when:
First qualifying round: Twenty-eight champions from associations 25-27 and 30-55
Second qualifying round: Eight champions from associations 16-24, excluding Russia, plus two champions from associations 28 and 29 enter the champions path. Six runners-up from associations 10-15 begin the league path.
Third qualifying round: Five teams more teams enter the league path.
Playoff round: Four champions from associations 11-14.
League phase: Ten champions from associations 1-10, six runners-up from associations 1-6, five third-placed teams from associations 1-5, four fourth-place teams from associations 1-4, one champion from association 15, two teams from the associations with the highest coefficients from the previous season, and the Europa League champions.
When and where is the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Final?
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Final will be May 30, 2026 at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
What are the draw dates for the UEFA Champions League?
First qualifying round: June 17
Second qualifying round: June 18
Third qualifying round: July 21
Playoff round: August 4
League phase: August 28
Knockout playoff round: January 30
Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final: February 27
What are the match dates for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League?
Qualifying rounds
First qualifying round (two legs): July 8-9 and July 15-16
Second qualifying round (two legs): July 22-23 and July 29-30
Third qualifying round (two legs): August 5-6 and August 12
Playoff round: August 19-20 and August 26-27
League phase
Matchday 1: September 16-18
Matchday 2: September 30-October 1
Matchday 3: October 21-22
Matchday 4: November 4-5
Matchday 5: November 25-26
Matchday 6: December 9-10
Matchday 7: January 20-21
Matchday 8: January 28
Knockout playoff round: February 17-18, February 24-25
Round of 16: March 10-11, March 17-18
Quarterfinals: April 7-8, April 14-15
Semifinals: April 28-29, May 5-6
Final: May 30 at Puskas Arena in Budapest
Who have qualified for the UEFA Champions League league phase?
Premier League: Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur*
Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, AS Monaco
Serie A: Napoli, Inter Milan, Atalanta, Juventus
La Liga: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund
Eredivisie: PSV Eindhoven, Ajax
Primeira Liga: Sporting Lisbon
Belgian Pro League: Union Saint-Gilloise
Turkish Super Lig: Galatasaray
Czech First League: Slavia Prague
Super League Greece: Olympiacos
UEFA Champions League league phase qualifying schedule
Wednesday June 9, 2025
KuPS 1-0 Milsami Orhei
The New Saints 0-0 Shkendija
Iberia 1999 1-3 Malmo
FCI Levadia 0-1 RFS
Drita 1-0 Differdange 03
Vikingur 2-3 Lincoln Red Imps
Egnatia 1-0 Breidablik
Shelbourne 1-0 Linfield
FCSB 3-1 Inter Club d'Escaldes
Virtus 0-2 Zrinjski Mostar
Olimpija Ljubljana 1-1 Kairat
Noah 1-0 Buducnost Podgorica
Ludogorets Razgrad vs Dinamo Minsk
Tuesday June 15, 2025
Match 1: Hamrun Spartans vs Zalgiris
Match 2: Milsami Orhei vs KuPS
March 3: Shkendija vs The New Saints
Match 4: Malmo vs Iberia 1999
Match 5: RFS vs FCI Levadia
Match 6: Differdange 03 vs Drita
Match 7: Lincoln Red Imps vs Vikingur
Match 8: Breidablik vs Egnatia
Match 9: Linfield vs Shelbourne
Match 10: Inter Club d'Escaldes vs FCSB
Match 11: Zrinjski Mostar vs Virtus
Match 12: Kairat vs Olimpija Ljubljana
Match 13: Buducnost Podgorica vs Noah
Match 14: Dinamo MInsk vs Ludogorets Razgrad
First legs to be played July 22-23. Second legs July 29-30.
Champions Path
Match 5 winner v Match 4 winner
Match 1 winner vs Dynamo Kiev
Pafos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Match 7 winner vs Red Star Belgrade
Match 13 winner vs Ferencvaros
Lech Poznan vs Match 8 winner
Copenhagen vs Match 6 winner
Rijeka vs Match 14 winner
Match 3 winner vs Match 10 winner
Slovan Bratislava vs Match 11 winner
Match 9 winner vs Qarabag
Match 2 winner vs Match 12 winner
Brann vs Red Bull Salzburg
Viktoria Plzen vs Servette
Glasgow Rangers vs Panathinaikos
Draw: July 21
First legs to be played August 5-6. Second legs August 12.
Second qualifying round winners
Winners of second qualifying round plus Benfica, Club Brugge, Feyenoord, Fenerbahce, Nice
Draw: August 4
First legs to be played August 19-20. Second legs August 26-27.
Six winners of third qualifying round plus Celtic, Bodo/Glimt, Basel, and Sturm Graz.
Four winners from the third qualifying round
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool agree to sell contract rebel for €55m
Liverpool have been very active in the transfer market so far this summer. Not only have the Reds secured deals for £260m worth of talent, we have also seen plenty of Premier League title-winning players leave the club. And when it comes to both incomings and outgoings, the club are not done yet. Having added Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili to the ranks, there are plans to sign Alexander Isak as well as a centre-back later in the window. Shop the LFC Store LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now In order to finance that kind of spend, Liverpool have been busy with sales. Luis Diaz completed his move to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for a fee that is worth around £65m - joining Jarell Quansah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher and Nat Phillips on the exit list. But Liverpool won't stop there. There could be a sale for Ibrahima Konate - with Spanish reports now suggesting that €55m would be enough to entice Richard Hughes to sell. Real Madrid want Konate Konate, 26, is out of contract in less than 12 months - and a new contract hasn't been forthcoming. It means Liverpool risk losing the France defender on a free or else must accept a bid for him this summer instead. - seeing him as a dream addition to the defensive options. And if Liverpool fail to come to an agreement over a new deal then the right thing to do could be to let him go. €55m and he's yours And according to Defensa Central, talks are underway between Liverpool and the 15-time European champions for Konate and the Merseysiders now have a magic number in mind. 'Liverpool has already informed Real Madrid, through several direct and indirect intermediaries, that the player is not officially for sale ... but that if anyone wants to sign him this summer and offers at least 55 million for him, they will agree to negotiate,' the report reads. © IMAGO
Business Upturn
40 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Newcastle Or Man United! Which club will Benjamin Sesko choose?
Whole English football media knows that there is an immense battle between Newcastle United and Manchester United for the signature of Benjamin Sesko (current striker of RB Leipzig). By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on July 31, 2025, 10:01 IST Last updated July 31, 2025, 10:01 IST The English football media is buzzing as a major transfer battle unfolds between Newcastle United and Manchester United for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The 21-year-old has shown immense potential in the Bundesliga, and both Premier League clubs are in advanced talks to secure his signature. Reliable journalists Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein have confirmed that the decision now lies solely with Sesko. Interestingly, despite Newcastle offering UEFA Champions League football next season, reports suggest the Magpies are beginning to fear that the Slovenian forward may choose Manchester United instead. The Red Devils, who will miss out on European football next season, are banking on their rich history and global status to lure Sesko. Some reports indicate that the striker is a long-time admirer of United, which could play a decisive role. On the other hand, Sesko is also believed to be carefully weighing his future, with Newcastle's Champions League spot providing a tempting opportunity to showcase himself at the highest level. As things stand, Sesko has not made his final decision, and speculation continues to swirl. Whether he prioritizes United's prestige or Newcastle's European ambitions, the summer transfer window promises to deliver a blockbuster outcome. Manchester United OR Newcastle United? Where do you think Sesko will end up? Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Business Upturn
2 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Hojlund, Amad, Dorgu – all scored as United win 4-1 against Bournemouth
In the Premier League summer series 2025, United thrashed Bournemouth by 4-1. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on July 31, 2025, 09:35 IST In the Premier League summer series 2025, United thrashed Bournemouth by 4-1. Manchester United are in wonderful form as they won 2 in 2 in this series. United played with high intensity and scored 4 with Hojlund, Amad, Dorgu and Ethan Williams on the scoresheet. Hojlund started the goalscoring with a wonderful finish and then Dorgu made it 2-0 in the first half. Amad scored the goal before going off the pitch and it was youngster Ethan Williams who got his first senior goal in this pre-season game. Manchester United continued their impressive pre-season run with a dominant 4-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series 2025. The Red Devils have now made it two wins in two games, showcasing high intensity and attacking flair. Rasmus Højlund opened the scoring with a clinical finish early on before new signing Patrick Dorgu doubled the lead before half-time. Amad Diallo added a third with a composed strike before being substituted, further underlining United's attacking depth. The highlight of the night came when youngster Ethan Williams netted his first senior goal, sealing an emphatic victory. United's performances in this series suggest they are building strong momentum ahead of the new season, with both experienced stars and emerging talents stepping up in style. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
