Champions League 2025/26: which teams play the league phase?

The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 faces its second edition under the new league phase format along with the usual knockout rounds of the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals, until the grand final, which this year is played in Budapest.

After the play-offs, the 36 qualified teams have been divided into four pots and in the draw this Thursday they will be paired with the 8 rivals they will have to face.

Teams qualified for the Champions League 2025/26 league phase

Below, we review the list with the names of the 36 teams that will play in the 2025/26 league phase and how they have achieved their qualification:

1. Paris Saint-Germain*: Qualified as Champion of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 and Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of France (Champion) (*1)
2. Tottenham: Qualified as Champion of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25
3. Liverpool: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of England (Champion)
4. Arsenal: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of England (Runner-up)
5. Manchester City: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of England (Third)
6. Chelsea: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of England (Fourth)
7. Napoli: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Italy (Champion)
8. Inter: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Italy (Runner-up)
9. Atalanta: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Italy (Third)
10. Juventus: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Italy (Fourth)
11. FC Barcelona: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Spain (Champion)
12. Real Madrid: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Spain (Runner-up)
13. Atlético de Madrid: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Spain (Third)
14. Athletic Club: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Spain (Fourth)
15. Bayern Munich: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Germany (Champion)
16. Bayer Leverkusen: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Germany (Runner-up)
17. Eintracht Frankfurt: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Germany (Third)
18. Dortmund: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Germany (Fourth)
19. Marseille: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of France (Runner-up)
20. Monaco: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of France (Third)
21. PSV: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Netherlands (Champion)
22. Ajax: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Netherlands (Runner-up)
23. Sporting CP: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Portugal (Champion)
24. Union Saint-Gilloise: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Belgium (Champion)
25. Galatasaray: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Turkey (Champion)
26. Slavia Prague: Automatically qualified for their position in the national league of Czech Republic (Champion)
27. Olympiacos*: Winner of the Champions League readjustment (*2)
28. Newcastle*: Places for European Performance (*3)
29. Villarreal*: Places for European Performance (*3)
30. Bodo/Glimt*: Qualification phase – champions route (*4)
31. Copenhagen*: Qualification phase – champions route (*4)
32. Kairat Almaty*: Qualification phase – champions route (*4)
33. Pafos*: Qualification phase – champions route (*4)
34. Qarabag*: Qualification phase – champions route (*4)
35. Benfica*: Qualification phase – league route (*5)
36. Club Brugge*: Qualification phase – league route (*5)

Teams qualified for the Champions League 2025/26 league phase by countries and competitions

Champions League 2025/26: the 36 qualified teams

In the list of the 36 teams qualified for the league phase of the Champions League 25/26, 16 countries and national competitions are represented and the ranking is led by England and its Premier League with 6 representatives, 2 more than the usual 4.

The reason? The official UEFA website explains that the first extra place is for Tottenham (Europa League champion) and the second is for Newcastle thanks to an additional quota for superior European performance in the 2024/25 season.

You can consult the UEFA regulations on superior European performance here.

1. England / Premier League (6): Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle
2. Spain /LaLiga EA Sports (5): Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Athletic Club, Villarreal
3. Italy / Serie A (4): Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus
4. Germany / Bundesliga (4): Bayern, Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Dortmund
5. France / Ligue 1 (3): Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Monaco
6. Netherlands / Eredivisie (2): PSV, Ajax
7. Portugal / Primeira Liga (2): Sporting CP, Benfica
8. Belgium / Belgian Pro League (2): Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge
9. Turkey / Süper Lig (1): Galatasaray
10. Czech Republic / Chance Liga (1): Slavia Prague
11. Greece / Greek Super League (1): Olympiacos
12. Denmark / Danish Super League (1): Copenhagen
13. Norway / Eliteserien (1): Bodo Glimt
14. Kazakhstan / Kazakh Premier League (1): Kairat Almaty
15. Cyprus / Cyprus League (1): Pafos FC
16. Azerbaijan / Azerbaijani Premier League (1): Qarabağ Futbol Klubu

Champions League Draw 2025/26: know all the data, qualified teams, pots and match schedule of the league phase.

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