With the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League set to kick off in September, UEFA has unveiled a series of rule changes that will significantly reshape Europe’s biggest club competition.
The reforms, aimed at increasing competitiveness and fairness, will officially take effect from this season.
Key Adjustments to the Champions League Format:
- New League Phase Structure
The competition will expand to 36 teams, with each side playing eight matches. Clubs will face two opponents from each seeding pot, including their own, ensuring a balanced mix of fixtures and marquee showdowns between top-ranked sides. - No Domestic Matchups in Early Stage
Teams from the same country will not be drawn against one another during the league phase, guaranteeing greater diversity of opposition. - Limit on Opponents from One Nation
No team can be paired with more than two clubs from the same country. For instance, Chelsea may face Real Madrid and Barcelona but will not be drawn against Atlético Madrid in addition. - Qualification Pathway
- The top eight teams progress straight into the Round of 16.
- Clubs finishing 9th to 24th will contest a playoff to reach the knockout stage.
- Those placed 25th to 36th will exit the competition at this point.
- Competition Calendar
The league phase will run from September 2025 to January 2026, setting the stage for the knockout rounds in spring.
UEFA believes these reforms will heighten the tournament’s appeal, delivering more blockbuster encounters while preserving competitive balance across Europe’s elite stage.