Football fans across Europe are turning their attention to Monaco today as the draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase takes place at the Grimaldi Forum. The ceremony, scheduled for 17:00 BST, marks the official start of the road to Munich, where the final will be held next May
This season’s competition features a revamped format and a record 36 teams in the league phase, each set to play eight matches against different opponents — four at home and four away — replacing the traditional group stage structure.
Who’s In?
The lineup is dominated by clubs from Europe’s top five leagues — England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France — but also includes exciting debutants and underdogs:
Italy: Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, and Lazio.
England: A record six clubs have qualified, including Premier League champions Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur .
Spain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Sociedad.
Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayer Leverkusen.
France: Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, and Monaco.
Debutants & Dark Horses
Four clubs will make their debut in the main stage:
- Bodo/Glimt (Norway)
- Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan)
- Pafos FC (Cyprus)
- Union Saint-Gilloise (Belgium)
These teams bring fresh energy and geographic diversity, with Kairat Almaty traveling over 7,000 km to face western European giants.
High Stakes
UEFA’s prize pool for this edition stands at a staggering €2.47 billion, with even the lowest-ranked team guaranteed €19.6 million before performance bonuses. The eventual winner could earn up to €150 million.
As the draw unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see which blockbuster matchups and storylines emerge. Will PSG defend their crown? Can Liverpool or Real Madrid reclaim glory? And how will the newcomers fare against Europe’s elite?