23 Clubs Have Qualified: The 2025/2026 Champions League Lineup Is Taking Shape

As the football season nears its conclusion across Europe’s top leagues, the list of participants for the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League is becoming clearer. As of Sunday, May 18, 2025, 23 out of 36 teams have officially secured their places in next season’s main round of Europe’s elite competition.

This season marks a new era for the Champions League as UEFA officially implements the single league phase format, replacing the traditional group stage system that had been used for decades. Under this new structure, all teams will be placed in one large standings table, each playing eight matches against different opponents.

From England, four clubs have qualified: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Spain will be represented by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, and Atletico Madrid. Germany’s Bundesliga contributes Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, and RB Leipzig. Italy will send Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, and Bologna. France has confirmed Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco, and Brest. Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord will represent the Netherlands, and Sporting CP has secured Portugal’s spot.

That leaves 13 remaining spots to be filled, either through the conclusion of domestic leagues or via the summer qualification rounds. Notable names such as Benfica, Galatasaray, Rangers, and Shakhtar Donetsk are still battling to confirm their place in the competition.

This season also delivers a number of surprises. Clubs like Girona (Spain) and Brest (France) have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their histories—highlighting the growing parity and competitiveness across European football.

UEFA has also added a new layer of complexity and opportunity: teams finishing 9th to 24th in the league phase will compete in a knockout play-off to claim the final eight slots in the Round of 16. This structure creates room for more unpredictability and thrilling matchups throughout the tournament.

The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League promises drama, intensity, and a new chapter in history. With several debutant clubs and a bold new format, fans around the world can expect a refreshed and evolving face to one of football’s most iconic tournaments.