The 2025‑26 UEFA Champions League introduces a larger 36‑team league phase, a revamped qualifying system, and a record‑breaking prize pool that placed Paris Saint‑Germain at the top with €144 million. The new format promises more matches, broader participation, and higher revenues, reshaping squad strategies, domestic calendars, and the financial hierarchy of European club football.
New Qualifying Path for the 2025‑26 Campaign
UEFA redesigned the route to the group stage to give more clubs a realistic chance while preserving the elite knockout prestige. The qualifying stage now features three distinct phases.
- Pre‑Qualifying Round – Open to champions of the lowest‑ranked associations; winners move to the First Qualifying Round.
- First & Second Qualifying Rounds – Split into a “Champions Path” for domestic league winners and a “League Path” for non‑champions from stronger leagues, delivering 20 clubs to the next stage.
- Play‑off Round – The final hurdle before the league phase, where 12 clubs compete for eight spots that join the 28 pre‑qualified teams, completing the 36‑team field.
Expanded League Phase: 36 Teams, 24 Knock‑Out Spots
The league phase launches on 16 September 2025 and runs to 28 January 2026. Six groups of six teams each play ten round‑robin matches (home and away). The top four from every group—24 clubs in total—advance to the knockout stage, while the bottom two are eliminated. Fifth‑placed teams drop into the UEFA Europa League knockout play‑offs, preserving a secondary European route.
Group Schedule Highlights
Key opening‑night fixtures set the tone for the expanded campaign:
- Bayern Munich vs. Red Star Belgrade at Allianz Arena (20:00 CET)
- Manchester City vs. FC Copenhagen at Etihad Stadium (22:45 CET)
- Mid‑season marquee derbies such as Real Madrid vs. Barcelona and Juventus vs. Inter Milan scheduled for prime‑time slots.
- The final group matchday on 28 January features simultaneous 21:00 CET kick‑offs to safeguard competitive integrity.
Financial Windfall: PSG Tops the Prize Money Table
Paris Saint‑Germain captured the largest share of UEFA’s prize distribution, earning €144.4 million (approximately $168 million). This total combines performance bonuses, market‑pool shares, and a portion of the €400 million (≈ €466 million) broadcast and commercial rights pool allocated for the season. The expanded league phase deepens revenue distribution, yet the top‑finishing clubs continue to command the lion’s share.
Strategic Implications for Clubs
- Squad Rotation – Ten league‑phase matches demand deeper benches; clubs with quality reserves can maintain performance while managing fatigue.
- Domestic Calendar Adjustments – National leagues may shift fixtures or introduce winter breaks to accommodate the longer European schedule, especially in colder climates.
- Commercial Growth – More televised games boost exposure for sponsors, broadcasters, and host cities, driving tourism and local business revenue.
- Competitive Balance – The broader field and distinct “League Path” aim to narrow the gap between traditional powerhouses and emerging clubs, potentially producing more upsets.
Knock‑Out Phase Outlook
After the group stage, the 24 qualifiers enter a new “Round of 24,” followed by the traditional quarter‑finals in March and a final slated for late May or early June 2026. The champion secures a place in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, facing the Europa League winner in a high‑profile showdown.
Conclusion
The 2025‑26 Champions League blends tradition with innovation: an inclusive qualifying system, an expanded league phase, and unprecedented prize money that has already elevated PSG to financial supremacy. As clubs navigate the intensified schedule and heightened stakes, the season promises historic moments that will shape the future of European club football.
