Champions League 2025/26 Guide: groups, predictions, and where to watch the world’s most prestigious competition!

The 2025/26 Champions League is about to kick off. The size and thrill of the competition even attract casual fans, while the more dedicated ones can also enjoy Sports Betting as they follow the matches.

The competition has already gone through the qualifying phase and now reaches the League Phase, with 36 teams competing for knockout spots. The first match of this Champions League season is scheduled for September 16, and the final will be held on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.

But there are still many months to go before we know who the new European champion will be. Until then, and even before the competition begins, check out this special guide prepared by Blaze to get up to speed with the 2025/26 Champions League!

About the 2025/26 Champions League

What begins now in the 2025/26 Champions League is the League Phase, a format adopted last season. In it, all 36 teams share a single league table. Each club plays eight matches, against eight different opponents, based on UEFA coefficient pots — defined using the Swiss System to create more attractive clashes.

After the eight rounds, the top eight qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th must go through playoffs. Those below 25th place are eliminated.

In this season’s Champions League, the following clubs advanced from the qualifiers: Qarabağ, Pafos, Bodø/Glimt, Karait, Copenhagen, Benfica, and Brugge. The other clubs entered directly into the League Phase.

Ajax

Ajax secured its spot in the 2025/26 Champions League by finishing second in the Dutch league. For a good campaign, the team will rely on striker Wout Weghorst, who already has three goals this season.

Manager

John Heitinga

Titles

4 (1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73, and 1994/95)

Expectation

Ajax is far from winning its fifth Champions League title. Even so, the Dutch are expected to progress — not without suffering. The odds point to 2.0 for the team to reach the playoffs, finishing between 9th and 24th place.

Arsenal

Arsenal came close last season. They finished second in the Premier League and reached the Champions League semifinals. Their domestic runner-up spot at least granted direct qualification to the 2025/26 continental tournament — and another chance to lift a European trophy, more than 30 years after the 1993/94 Cup Winners’ Cup.

Manager

Mikel Arteta

Best finish

Runner-up (2005/06)

Expectation

Arsenal is one of the contenders for the title this season. The team has 8.0 odds and some tough rivals, but there is a strong chance they can return to a final after 20 years.

Atalanta

Atalanta was another team to qualify directly for the League Phase. They earned their spot by finishing 3rd in the 2024/25 Serie A.

Manager

Ivan Jurić

Best finish

Quarterfinals (2019/20)

Expectation

For Atalanta, the most likely scenario is to advance — but not directly to the Round of 16. The team is expected to struggle, with odds of 1.55 indicating a finish between 9th and 24th, meaning playoffs will likely be needed.

Athletic Bilbao

Fourth place in La Liga 2024/25, Athletic Bilbao returns to the Champions League after more than a decade away. This time, the club aims for a historic first qualification to the knockout rounds.

Manager

Ernesto Valverde

Best finish

Group stage (1998/99 and 2014/15)

Expectation

The Basque team is another candidate for the knockout rounds, though more likely via the playoffs. They have 1.6 odds to finish between 9th and 24th place.

Atlético de Madrid

Atlético de Madrid is the only club with three Champions League finals and three defeats. All other teams with at least the same number of appearances in the final have won at least once. They qualified thanks to a 3rd-place finish in La Liga, and now must look to break their curse.

Manager

Diego Simeone

Best finish

Runner-up (three times: 1973/74, 2013/14, and 2015/16)

Expectation

After so many near misses, Atlético will once again try to claim the big-eared trophy. It won’t be easy, as the team is not among the favorites. However, a direct spot in the Round of 16 should not be a problem, with odds of 3.0 to finish in the top 8 of the 2025/26 Champions League.

Barcelona

Spanish champions last season, it’s been a decade since Barcelona’s last international trophy. Winning La Liga, however, gives the team the confidence needed to perhaps bring another Champions League title back to Camp Nou.

Manager

Hans-Dieter Flick

Titles

5 (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, and 2014/15)

Expectation

A five-time champion still chasing a sixth, Barcelona is among the select group of favorites for the trophy, with 7.0 odds, tied with PSG and Liverpool, the other two main contenders.

Bayer Leverkusen

Despite regularly qualifying for the Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen has only ever reached one final. In this edition, the German side secured its place as Bundesliga runners-up and will try to change its continental fortunes.

Manager

Kasper Hjulmand

Best finish

Runner-up (2001/02)

Expectation

Bayer Leverkusen is expected to progress, as usual. The Germans have 1.45 odds to land in the playoff qualification zone, still leaving them a chance to fight for a direct spot.

Bayern Munich

After a slip in 2023/24, Bayern Munich returned to the top in Germany. A perennial Champions League contender, the Bavarians haven’t lifted the trophy since 2020. Perhaps in Vincent Kompany’s second season as coach, the team can climb back to the summit.

Manager

Vincent Kompany

Titles

6 (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/01, 2012/13, and 2019/20)

Expectation

A six-time champion, Bayern isn’t among the absolute top favorites, but they are close, with 1.8 odds to finish among the top eight in the League Phase.

Benfica

Benfica had to fight to reach the 2025/26 Champions League. As Portuguese runners-up, they had to go through the third qualifying round and the playoff round. First, they eliminated Nice with a 4-0 aggregate score, and then knocked out Fenerbahçe after a 1-0 win in the return leg.

Manager

Bruno Lage

Titles

2 (1960/61 and 1961/62)

Expectation

Benfica’s golden era in Europe’s top tournament was more than half a century ago, and that’s unlikely to change now. As outsiders, they are mainly expected to finish between 9th and 24th, with 1.9 odds.

Bodö/Glimt

Norwegian champions, Bodö/Glimt entered directly into the final qualifying round of the Champions League. There, they faced Austrian side Sturm Graz, thrashing them 5-0 in the first leg before winning 2-1 in the return to secure their spot in the League Phase.

Manager

Kjetil Knutsen

Best finish

Champions League qualifying playoffs

Expectation

In their first League Phase appearance, Bodö/Glimt are likely to be mere spectators. The odds place them at the bottom of the table, among the group eliminated after the opening stage, at 1.07.

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund barely made it, finishing just two points clear to grab a Champions League spot through the Bundesliga. Runners-up in their last two Champions League finals, in 2012/13 and 2023/24, the Black and Yellows are a bit rusty. Now, however, they have Niko Kovač at the helm to get them back on track.

Manager

Niko Kovač

Titles

1 (1996/97)

Expectation

Dortmund will aim for the top 8 but are more likely to end up in the playoff round for the Round of 16, with 1.45 odds to finish among the top 16 in this stage.

Chelsea

After a year playing in Europe’s third-tier competition, Chelsea is back at the highest level, thanks to their 4th place finish in last season’s Premier League. The Blues return not as supporting players, but aiming for the spotlight.

Manager

Enzo Maresca

Titles

2 (2011/12 and 2020/21)

Expectation

Fresh off their Conference League triumph, Chelsea jumped straight into the Champions League and are back showcasing their strength. The Stamford Bridge side is among the favorites to finish near the top, with 2.0 odds to be in the top 8.

Club Brugge

Brugge finished 2nd in the Belgian league and had to face the Champions League qualifying rounds. In the third round, they beat Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg 4-2 on aggregate. Then, in the playoff path, they demolished Scottish side Rangers 9-1 on aggregate, winning 3-1 in the first leg and 6-0 in the return.

Manager

Nicky Hayen

Best finish

Runner-up (1977/78)

Expectation

Unfortunately for Brugge, the dream of returning to a final will remain just that — a dream. Odds point to an early elimination in the League Phase, with 1.25 odds of finishing below 24th place.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen (or København, in Danish) had a long road to the League Phase. They entered in the second qualifying round, where they beat Kosovo’s Drita. Next, they eliminated fellow Nordics Malmö of Sweden, and finally, Swiss side Basel.

Manager

Jacob Neestrup

Best finish

Round of 16 (2010/11 and 2023/24)

Expectation

Copenhagen is another likely outsider in the 2025/26 Champions League, with 1.4 odds to finish between 25th and 36th, missing out even on the playoffs.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt’s 3rd place finish in last season’s Bundesliga earned the team a direct spot in the main stage of the Champions League. It’s been over 60 years since the club’s only final. Could this be the time to break the curse?

Manager

Dino Toppmoller

Best finish

Runner-up (1959/60)

Expectation

Another German side, Frankfurt is expected to fight for a Round of 16 spot, just like their domestic rivals. For them, though, the task may come with an extra step, the playoffs, as the odds place them in this classification zone with 1.85 to finish between 9th and 24th place.

Galatasaray

Turkey’s only direct spot in the 2025/26 Champions League went to Galatasaray, the national champions in 2024/25. In the match draw, they were placed in pot 4, based on the UEFA coefficient.

Manager

Okan Buruk

Best finish

Semifinals (1988/89)

Expectation

The Turkish side can fight for a knockout stage spot, as they have favorable odds to at least secure a place in the Round of 16 playoffs. They stand at 1.9 odds to enter the playoff classification zone.

Internazionale

Last season’s European runners-up, Inter step onto the pitch eager to redeem themselves after the image left in the last final. On that occasion, the Italian team suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to PSG and now needs to erase that memory.

Manager

Cristian Chivu

Titles

3 (1963/64, 1964/65, and 2009/10)

Expectation

Inter should have no trouble finishing among the top eight teams in the competition and qualifying directly for the Round of 16, with 2.7 odds.

Juventus

Juventus secured the last Champions League spot from Serie A with a 4th place finish. The Old Lady is the ultimate runner-up in Champions League history. Out of nine finals, they have only two titles and seven runner-up finishes. The statistic is painful, especially since five of those came after their last trophy.

Manager

Igor Tudor

Titles

2 (1984/85 and 1995/96)

Expectation

Juve will face a bit more difficulty than their Italian rivals above, most likely needing to go through the Round of 16 playoffs. Their odds are 1.45 to finish in this second qualification bracket.

Kairat

Kairat is the team that has been in the current Champions League the longest. The Kazakh side entered back in the first qualifying round and has been fighting since July for their spot. First, they knocked out Olimpija of Slovenia. Then KuPS of Finland. In the third round, they left behind Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia. Finally, in the playoff round, they defeated Celtic of Scotland.

Manager

Rafael Urazbakhtin

Best finish

Second qualifying round (2021/22)

Expectation

Unfortunately for the Kazakh fans, Kairat is a strong candidate for last place in the League Phase. The team has 2.2 odds of finishing bottom of the stage, most likely exiting the competition early.

Liverpool

As English champions, Liverpool remains a regular in the Champions League. A six-time champion, the team has enough favoritism to equal Milan’s seven titles, and at least close the gap to Real Madrid’s 15.

Manager

Arne Slot

Titles

6 (1976/77, 1977/78, 1980/81, 1983/84, 2004/05, and 2018/19)

Expectation

The Reds are once again among the main contenders for the trophy. Liverpool is tied with PSG and Barcelona, with 7.0 odds, as one of the top favorites to lift the “Big Ears” trophy.

Manchester City

It hasn’t been long since Manchester City became a Champions League regular. With their 3rd place finish in the Premier League, the team returns looking to capture their second European crown.

Manager

Pep Guardiola

Titles

1 (2022/23)

Expectation

City should have no difficulty in the first phase and go directly to the Round of 16. They have 1.7 odds to finish in the top 8 of the Champions League 2025/26 League Phase.

Monaco

Even with a direct spot in the League Phase, Monaco landed in pot 4 for the 2025/26 Champions League draw due to their UEFA coefficient.

Manager

Adolf Hütter

Best finish

Runner-up (2003/04)

Expectation

Though not ideal, Monaco has decent chances to qualify indirectly. Their odds stand at 1.7 to finish between 9th and 24th place.

Napoli

Napoli secured their fourth Italian league title last season and returns to the Champions League after a year’s absence. This season, the goal is to progress further than the Round of 16.

Manager

Antonio Conte

Best finish

Round of 16 (2011/12, 2016/17, 2019/20, 2022/23, and 2023/24)

Expectation

The Neapolitans have everything they need to comfortably reach the knockout rounds, with 3.0 odds of finishing among the top eight teams in the competition.

Newcastle

Newcastle only just qualified for the 2025/26 Champions League. They secured the extra direct spot thanks to England’s European performance, after finishing 5th in the Premier League. The last time they played in the competition was the 2003/04 season.

Manager

Eddie Howe

Best finish

Second group stage (2002/03)

Expectation

Even if not among the favorites to reach the top 8, Newcastle can still advance in the 2025/26 Champions League. Odds place them between 9th and 24th, at 1.5.

Olympiacos

The only direct Greek spot in the 2025/26 Champions League League Phase went to Olympiacos. The team won the Greek Championship and returns to the continental stage after two editions of absence.

Manager

Jose Luis Mendilibar

Best finish

Quarterfinals (1998/99)

Expectation

The Greeks are expected to play more of a supporting role in the Champions League. There are no strong prospects of advancing past the first phase. According to the odds, Olympiacos sits at 1.45 to finish among the lower positions.

Olympique de Marseille

Olympique de Marseille missed out on last season’s Champions League. Their runner-up finish in the 2024/25 Ligue 1 earned the club a well-deserved return to Europe’s most prestigious tournament.

Manager

Roberto De Zerbi

Titles

1 (1992/93)

Expectation

For the French side, the knockout rounds should come — but not without cost. What cost? The playoffs, since the team has 1.7 odds to finish between 9th and 24th place.

Pafos

As Cypriot champions, Pafos entered the 2025/26 UCL in the second qualifying round. Maccabi Tel Aviv was their first victim, followed by Dynamo Kyiv in the next round. In the final Champions Path qualifier, they knocked out Red Star Belgrade.

Manager

Juan Carlos Carcedo

Best finish

Debutants

Expectation

Pafos’s first time in the Champions League is expected to resemble many other debutants’ journeys in past seasons: a brief stay, ending in the first stage. The team has 1.2 odds to finish below 25th place and exit after the League Phase.

Paris Saint-Germain

It took time, but PSG finally won their first Champions League! In a historic final, they thrashed Inter 5-0 to lift the trophy. The taste of victory is sweet, and naturally, the French side enters again as one of the big favorites.

Manager

Luis Enrique

Titles

1 (2024/25)

Expectation

After finally tasting glory, PSG wants more! Following their success last season, the Parisians enter as strong favorites in this edition. The odds place them at 7.0, tied with Barcelona and Liverpool.

PSV Eindhoven

PSV have a 100% record in Champions League finals — but that’s only because they’ve been there once, and won. Returning now as Dutch champions, repeating that feat will be difficult.

Manager

Peter Bosz

Titles

1 (1987/88)

Expectation

The Round of 16 likely won’t come directly for PSV. The expectation is for them to land in the playoff zone, with 1.85 odds.

Qarabağ

The Azerbaijani champions had no direct entry into the League Phase. Qarabağ started in the second qualifying round, defeating Shelbourne (Ireland), Shkëndija (North Macedonia), and Ferencváros (Hungary).

Manager

Gurban Gurbanov

Best finish

Group Stage (2017/18)

Expectation

The Azeri team is, unfortunately, tipped as one of the likely underdogs. Qarabağ is competing with Kairat to avoid last place, with 4.5 odds of finishing bottom.

Real Madrid

The most successful club in Champions League history crashed out in the quarterfinals last season. The disappointment was bitter, leaving Real Madrid trophyless for the rest of 2024/25. Now, under the command of club legend Xabi Alonso, they need to make amends with their fans.

Manager

Xabi Alonso

Titles

15 (1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1958/59, 1959/60, 1965/66, 1997/98, 1999/00, 2001/02, 2013/14, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2021/22, and 2023/24)

Expectation

With 15 trophies, Real Madrid always enters the Champions League as a favorite to lift another. This time, they aren’t overwhelming favorites, but they remain contenders, with 9.0 odds.

Slavia Prague

The Czech Republic is another country with just one direct Champions League spot. Slavia Prague, champions of the 2024/25 season, go straight into the League Phase.

Manager

Jindřich Trpišovský

Best finish

Group Stage (2007/08 and 2019/20)

Expectation

The Czechs may fly under the radar in the 2025/26 Champions League, with 1.07 odds of finishing below 24th place and failing to advance.

Sporting

Portuguese champions Sporting were the only club from Portugal to qualify directly for the League Phase. Last season, they fell in the Round of 16 playoffs, continuing their trend of early exits.

Manager

Rui Borges

Best finish

Quarterfinals (1982/83)

Expectation

Just like their rivals Benfica, Sporting are also projected to land between 9th and 24th place, heading into the playoffs, with 2.0 odds.

Tottenham

Tottenham finally won a competition after 17 years. Before last season’s Europa League, their last trophy was in 2007/08, the English League Cup. The return couldn’t have been more triumphant: a European tournament and a direct spot in the Champions League League Phase.

Manager

Thomas Frank

Best finish

Runner-up (2018/19)

Expectation

As the reigning Europa League champions, Tottenham enters the Champions League with momentum. The Spurs are tipped for a direct knockout stage spot, with 3.0 odds to finish in the top 8.

Union Saint-Gilloise

Ninety years separate Union Saint-Gilloise’s league titles in Belgium. The long-awaited trophy also brought the chance to compete in the 2025/26 Champions League, reaching the main stage of the competition for the first time.

Manager

Sébastien Pocognoli

Best finish

Third qualifying round (2022/23)

Expectation

Like the other Belgian team in the tournament, Union Saint-Gilloise is expected to be a supporting cast member in the European competition. Their odds stand at 1.25 to finish below 24th place.

Villarreal

This will only be Villarreal’s sixth appearance in the Champions League. Even so, the team can make a strong impression in the competition and surprise stronger opponents.

Manager

Marcelino

Best finish

Semifinals (twice: 2005/06 and 2021/22)

Expectation

Villarreal should make it back to the knockout rounds and may even advance further, surprising rivals once again in the Champions League. The team has 1.7 odds to land in the Round of 16 playoff spots.

Best odds for the 2025/26 Champions League

With the teams lined up for the season, it’s time to look at the best odds for this year’s Champions League. Keep in mind that these numbers can fluctuate, whether due to on-pitch factors or external ones. The tip, as always, is to follow sports news and keep an eye on the details surrounding your favorite teams.

Who will be the champion?

Three teams are tied at the top of the odds to win Europe’s biggest prize. PSG, the reigning champions, sit at 7.0, the same as Barcelona and Liverpool. Arsenal is also in the race at 8.0, while Real Madrid is close behind with 9.0.

Which country will lift the trophy?

With three clubs tied at the top, certain nations also rank highly in the odds for celebrating the title on their soil. England, with two teams in the top five, leads the way with 2.0 odds. Spain, also with two clubs, follows at 3.25. France remains in the mix with 6.5.

Who will be the top scorer?

Last season, two players shared the top scorer honor: Brazilian Raphinha and Guinean Serhou Guirassy, both with 13 goals. For 2025/26, a striker who has twice won the Champions League Golden Boot leads the market: Norwegian Erling Haaland, with 7.0 odds. The Manchester City star was the top scorer in 2020/21 and 2021/23, with 10 and 12 goals, respectively.

Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who topped the charts in 2023/24 with eight goals, is right behind at 8.0. Egyptian Mohamed Salah and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski — Golden Boot winner in 2019/20 with 15 goals — both sit at 9.0. Harry Kane, who tied with Mbappé in 2023/24, has 10.0 odds.

Where to watch the 2025/26 Champions League?

Brazilian fans can follow the 2025/26 Champions League on TNT Sports (cable TV) and on HBO Max (streaming). Additionally, Tuesday matches will be available on free-to-air TV through SBT.

Bet on the 2025/26 Champions League at Blaze

Got all the details on the 2025/26 Champions League? Before diving into sports betting for extra excitement, remember: this is entertainment, never an investment. Always bet responsibly, using only funds allocated for leisure, without affecting your financial or personal life.

Bet on the 2025/26 Champions League at Blaze and enjoy football at the highest level even more!

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2025/26 Champions League

When does the 2025/26 Champions League start?

The League Phase begins on September 16. So far, four qualifying rounds have taken place for teams that didn’t have a direct spot and had to fight through the preliminaries. The 2025/26 Champions League final is scheduled for May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.

Who is the reigning Champions League champion?

Paris Saint-Germain is the current Champions League champion, winning their first-ever title in the 2024/25 season.

Who is the most successful club in Champions League history?

Real Madrid is the competition’s most successful club, with 15 titles — more than double that of Milan, who sits in second place with seven trophies.

Which country has the most Champions League titles?

Spain leads the way with 20 Champions League titles in total — 15 from Real Madrid and five from Barcelona. Spanish clubs also hold 11 runner-up finishes: three each from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid, plus two from Villarreal.