UEFA Champions League

European association football tournament

"European Champions League" and "European Cup" redirect here. For other uses, see Champions League (disambiguation) and European Cup (disambiguation).

This article is about the men's competition. For the women's competition, see UEFA Women's Champions League.

"UEFA CL" redirects here. For the third tier competition, see UEFA Conference League.

Football tournament

UEFA Champions League

Organising body| UEFA
Founded| 1955; 70 years ago (1955)
(rebranded in 1992)
Region| Europe
Number of teams|

* 36 (league phase)
* 81 (total)

Qualifier for|

* UEFA Super Cup
* FIFA Intercontinental Cup
* FIFA Club World Cup

Related competitions|

* UEFA Europa League
(2nd tier)
* UEFA Conference League
(3rd tier)

Current champions|  Real Madrid (15th title)
Most successful club(s)|  Real Madrid (15 titles)
Television broadcasters| List of broadcasters
Website| uefa.com/uefachampionsleague
2024–25 UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League (abbreviated as UCL) is an annual club association football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) that is contested by top-division European clubs. The competition begins with a round robin league phase to qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, and a single-leg final. It is the most-watched club competition in the world and the third most-watched football competition overall, behind only the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. It is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world and the most prestigious club competition in European football, played by the national league champions (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of their national associations.

Introduced in 1955 as the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens (French for European Champion Clubs' Cup), and commonly known as the European Cup, it was initially a straight knockout tournament open only to the champions of Europe's domestic leagues, with its winner reckoned as the European club champion. The competition took on its current name in 1992, adding a round-robin group stage in 1991 and allowing multiple entrants from certain countries since the 1997–98 season.[1] While only the winners of many of Europe's national leagues can enter the competition, the top 5 leagues by coefficient provide four teams each by default,[2] with a possibility for additional spots based on performance during the previous season.[3][4] Clubs that finish below the qualifying spots are eligible for the second-tier UEFA Europa League competition, and since 2021, for the third-tier UEFA Conference League.[5]

In its present format, the Champions League begins in early July with three qualifying rounds and a play-off round, all played over two legs. The seven surviving teams enter the league phase, joining 29 teams qualified in advance. The 36 teams each play eight opponents, four home and four away. The 24 highest-ranked teams proceed to the knockout phase that culminates with the final match in late May or early June.[6] The winner of the Champions League automatically qualifies for the following year's Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[7][8]

Spanish clubs have the most victories (20 wins), followed by England (15 wins), Italy (12 wins), Germany (8 wins), Netherlands (6 wins) and Portugal (4 wins).[9] England has the most winning teams, with six clubs having won the title. The competition has been won by 23 clubs and 13 of them have won it more than once.[10] Real Madrid is the most successful club in the tournament's history, having won it 15 times. Madrid is the only club to have won it five times in a row (the first five editions).[11] Only one club has won all of their matches in a single tournament en route to the tournament victory: Bayern Munich in the 2019–20 season.[12] Real Madrid is the current European champion, having beaten Borussia Dortmund 2–0 in the 2024 final for their fifteenth title.

## History

[edit]

This article is missing information about 1992–present. Please expand the article by making an edit requestto include this information . Further details may exist on the talk page. (June 2024)

|

Main article: History of the European Cup and UEFA Champions League

See also: List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals

Winners
European Cup / UEFA Champions League  Season | Winners

|

European Cup
1955–56 |  Real Madrid (1)
1956–57 |  Real Madrid (2)
1957–58 |  Real Madrid (3)
1958–59 |  Real Madrid (4)
1959–60 |  Real Madrid (5)
1960–61 |  Benfica (1)
1961–62 |  Benfica (2)
1962–63 |  Milan (1)
1963–64 |  Inter Milan (1)
1964–65 |  Inter Milan (2)
1965–66 |  Real Madrid (6)
1966–67 |  Celtic (1)
1967–68 |  Manchester United (1)
1968–69 |  Milan (2)
1969–70 |  Feyenoord (1)
1970–71 |  Ajax (1)
1971–72 |  Ajax (2)
1972–73 |  Ajax (3)
1973–74 |  Bayern Munich (1)
1974–75 |  Bayern Munich (2)
1975–76 |  Bayern Munich (3)
1976–77 |  Liverpool (1)
1977–78 |  Liverpool (2)
1978–79 |  Nottingham Forest (1)
1979–80 |  Nottingham Forest (2)
1980–81 |  Liverpool (3)
1981–82 |  Aston Villa (1)
1982–83 |  Hamburger SV (1)
1983–84 |  Liverpool (4)
1984–85 |  Juventus (1)
1985–86 |  Steaua București (1)
1986–87 |  Porto (1)
1987–88 |  PSV Eindhoven (1)
1988–89 |  Milan (3)
1989–90 |  Milan (4)
1990–91 |  Red Star Belgrade (1)
1991–92 |  Barcelona (1)
UEFA Champions League
1992–93 |  Marseille (1)
1993–94 |  Milan (5)
1994–95 |  Ajax (4)
1995–96 |  Juventus (2)
1996–97 |  Borussia Dortmund (1)
1997–98 |  Real Madrid (7)
1998–99 |  Manchester United (2)
1999–2000 |  Real Madrid (8)
2000–01 |  Bayern Munich (4)
2001–02 |  Real Madrid (9)
2002–03 |  Milan (6)
2003–04 |  Porto (2)
2004–05 |  Liverpool (5)
2005–06 |  Barcelona (2)
2006–07 |  Milan (7)
2007–08 |  Manchester United (3)
2008–09 |  Barcelona (3)
2009–10 |  Inter Milan (3)
2010–11 |  Barcelona (4)
2011–12 |  Chelsea (1)
2012–13 |  Bayern Munich (5)
2013–14 |  Real Madrid (10)
2014–15 |  Barcelona (5)
2015–16 |  Real Madrid (11)
2016–17 |  Real Madrid (12)
2017–18 |  Real Madrid (13)
2018–19 |  Liverpool (6)
2019–20 |  Bayern Munich (6)
2020–21 |  Chelsea (2)
2021–22 |  Real Madrid (14)
2022–23 |  Manchester City (1)
2023–24 |  Real Madrid (15)

This section needs expansion. You can help by making an edit requestadding to it . (March 2024)

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The first time the champions of two European leagues met was in what was nicknamed the 1895 World Championship, when English champions Sunderland beat Scottish champions Heart of Midlothian 5–3.[13] The first pan-European tournament was the Challenge Cup, a competition between clubs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.[14] Three years later, in 1900, the champions of Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland, which were the only existing leagues in continental Europe at the time, participated in the Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz, thus being dubbed as the "club championship of the continent" by the local newspapers.[15][16]

The Mitropa Cup, a competition modelled after the Challenge Cup, was created in 1927, an idea of Austrian Hugo Meisl, and played between Central European clubs.[17] In 1930, the Coupe des Nations (French: Nations Cup), the first attempt to create a cup for national champion clubs of Europe, was played and organised by Swiss club Servette.[18] Held in Geneva, it brought together ten champions from across the continent. The tournament was won by Újpest of Hungary.[18] Latin European nations came together to form the Latin Cup in 1949.[19]

After receiving reports from his journalists over the highly successful South American Championship of Champions of 1948, Gabriel Hanot, editor of L'Équipe, began proposing the creation of a continent-wide tournament.[20] In interviews, Jacques Ferran (one of the founders of the European Champions Cup, together with Gabriel Hanot),[21] said that the South American Championship of Champions was the inspiration for the European Champions Cup.[22] After Stan Cullis declared Wolverhampton Wanderers "Champions of the World" following a successful run of friendlies in the 1950s, in particular a 3–2 friendly victory against Budapest Honvéd, Hanot finally managed to convince UEFA to put into practice such a tournament.[1] It was conceived in Paris in 1955 as the European Champion Clubs' Cup.[1]

### 1955–1967: Beginnings

[edit]

Alfredo Di Stéfano (pictured in 1959) led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cup titles between 1956 and 1960.

The first European Cup took place during the 1955–56 season.[23][24] Sixteen teams participated (some by invitation): AC Milan (Italy), AGF Aarhus (Denmark), Anderlecht (Belgium), Djurgården (Sweden), Gwardia Warszawa (Poland), Hibernian (Scotland), Partizan (Yugoslavia), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), Rapid Wien (Austria), Real Madrid (Spain), Rot-Weiss Essen (West Germany), Saarbrücken (Saar), Servette (Switzerland), Sporting CP (Portugal), Reims (France) and Vörös Lobogó (Hungary).[23][24]

The first European Cup match took place on 4 September 1955, and ended in a 3–3 draw between Sporting CP and Partizan.[23][24] The first goal in European Cup history was scored by João Baptista Martins of Sporting CP.[23][24] The inaugural final took place at the Parc des Princes between Stade de Reims and Real Madrid on 13 June 1956.[23][24][25] The Spanish squad came back from behind to win 4–3 thanks to goals from Alfredo Di Stéfano and Marquitos, as well as two goals from Héctor Rial.[23][24][25] Real Madrid successfully defended the trophy next season in their home stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, against Fiorentina.[26][27] After a scoreless first half, Real Madrid scored twice in six minutes to defeat the Italians.[25][26][27] In 1958, Milan failed to capitalise after going ahead on the scoreline twice, only for Real Madrid to equalise.[28][29] The final, held in Heysel Stadium, went to extra time where Francisco Gento scored the game-winning goal to allow Real Madrid to retain the title for the third consecutive season.[25][28][29]

In a rematch of the first final, Real Madrid faced Stade Reims at the Neckarstadion for the 1959 final, and won 2–0.[25][30][31] West German side Eintracht Frankfurt became the first team not to compete in the Latin cup to reach the European Cup final.[19][32][33] The 1960 final holds the record for the most goals scored, with Real Madrid beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7–3 at Hampden Park, courtesy of four goals by Ferenc Puskás and a hat-trick by Alfredo Di Stéfano.[25][32][33] This was Real Madrid's fifth consecutive title, a record that still stands today.[10]

Real Madrid's reign ended in the 1960–61 season when bitter rivals Barcelona dethroned them in the first round.[34][35] Barcelona were defeated in the final by Portuguese side Benfica 3–2 at the Wankdorf Stadium.[34][35][36] Reinforced by Eusébio, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5–3 at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam and kept the title for a second consecutive season.[36][37][38] Benfica wanted to repeat Real Madrid's successful run of the 1950s after reaching the showpiece event of the 1962–63 European Cup, but a brace from Brazilian-Italian José Altafini at Wembley gave the spoils to Milan, making the trophy leave the Iberian Peninsula for the first time ever.[39][40][41]

Inter Milan beat an ageing Real Madrid 3–1 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion to win the 1963–64 season and replicate their local-rival's success.[42][43][44] The title stayed in Milan for the third year in a row after Inter beat Benfica 1–0 at their home ground, the San Siro.[45][46][47] Under the leadership of Jock Stein, Scottish club Celtic beat Inter Milan 2–1 in the 1967 final to become the first British club to win the European Cup.[48][49] The Celtic players that day, all of whom were born within 30 miles (48 km) of Glasgow, subsequently became known as the "Lisbon Lions".[50]

### 1968–1982

[edit]

Johan Cruyff (pictured in 1972) won the European Cup three times in a row with Ajax.

The 1967–68 season saw Manchester United become the first English team to win the European Cup, beating two-times winners Benfica 4–1 in the final.[51] This final came ten years after the Munich air disaster, which had claimed the lives of eight United players and left their manager, Matt Busby, fighting for his life.[52] In the 1968–69 season, Ajax became the first Dutch team to reach the European Cup final, but they were beaten 4–1 by Milan, who claimed their second European Cup, with Pierino Prati scoring a hat-trick.[53]

The 1969–70 season saw the first Dutch winners of the competition. Feyenoord knocked out the defending champions, Milan in the second round,[54] before beating Celtic in the final.[55] In the 1970–71 season, Ajax won the title, beating Greek side Panathinaikos in the final.[56] the season saw a number of changes, with penalty shoot-outs being introduced, and the away goals rule being changed so that it would be used in all rounds except the final.[57] It was also the first time a Greek team reached the final, as well as the first season that Real Madrid failed to qualify, having finished sixth in La Liga the previous season.[58] Ajax went on to win the competition three years in row (1971 to 1973), which Bayern Munich emulated from 1974 to 1976, before Liverpool won their first two titles in 1977 and 1978.[59]

The following seasons saw victories in 1978–79 and 1979–80 for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest. The following year Liverpool won their third title before Aston Villa continued the sense of English dominance in 1982.

### 1982–1992: English dominance is broken

[edit]

In 1982–83, Hamburger SV broke the English dominance. Liverpool regained it in 1983–84 before losing to Juventus (1984–85); Steaua București then won in 1985–86, Porto in 1986–87, PSV Eindhoven in 1987–88; Milan (2), Red Star Belgrade and Barcelona became champions before the competition was re-formulated as the UEFA Champions League. All English clubs were banned for five years (Liverpool for six years) following the 1985 European Cup final due to the Heysel Stadium disaster.

## Anthem

[edit]

Main article: UEFA Champions League Anthem

> "Magic...it's magic above all else. When you hear the anthem it captivates you straight away."

—Zinedine Zidane[60]

The two teams line up for the UEFA Champions League Anthem before each match and a flag of the Champions League "starball" logo is waved in the centre circle.

The UEFA Champions League anthem, officially titled simply as "Champions League", was written by Tony Britten, and is an adaptation of George Frideric Handel's 1727 anthem Zadok the Priest (one of his Coronation Anthems).[61][62] UEFA commissioned Britten in 1992 to arrange an anthem, and the piece was performed by London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and sung by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.[61] Stating that "the anthem is now almost as iconic as the trophy", UEFA's official website adds it is "known to set the hearts of many of the world's top footballers aflutter".[61]

The chorus contains the three official languages used by UEFA: English, German, and French.[63] The climactic moment is set to the exclamations 'Die Meister! Die Besten! Les Grandes Équipes! The Champions!'.[64] The anthem's chorus is played before each UEFA Champions League game as the two teams are lined up, as well as at the beginning and end of television broadcasts of the matches. In addition to the anthem, there is also entrance music, which contains parts of the anthem itself, which is played as teams enter the field.[65] The complete anthem is about three minutes long, and has two short verses and the chorus.[63]

Special vocal versions have been performed live at the Champions League final with lyrics in other languages, changing over to the host nation's language for the chorus. These versions were performed by Andrea Bocelli (Italian; Rome 2009, Milan 2016 and Cardiff 2017), Juan Diego Flores (Spanish; Madrid 2010), All Angels (Wembley 2011), Jonas Kaufmann and David Garrett (Munich 2012) and Mariza (Lisbon 2014). In the 2013 final at Wembley, the chorus was played twice. In the 2018 and 2019 finals, held in Kyiv and Madrid respectively, the instrumental version of the chorus was played, by 2Cellos (2018) and Asturia Girls (2019).[66][67] In the 2023 final, held in Istanbul, Hungarian pianist Ádám György performed the piano version of the anthem.[68] The anthem has been released commercially in its original version on iTunes and Spotify with the title of Champions League Theme. In 2018, composer Hans Zimmer remixed the anthem with rapper Vince Staples for EA Sports' video game FIFA 19, with it also featuring in the game's reveal trailer.[69]

## Branding

[edit]

The "starball" logo is incorporated into the design of the competition's official match ball, the Adidas Finale.

In 1991, UEFA asked its commercial partner, Television Event and Media Marketing (TEAM), to help brand the Champions League. This resulted in the anthem, "house colours" of black and white or silver and a logo, and the "starball". The starball was created by Design Bridge, a London-based firm selected by TEAM after a competition.[70] TEAM gives particular attention to detail in how the colours and starball are depicted at matches. According to TEAM, "Irrespective of whether you are a spectator in Moscow or Milan, you will always see the same stadium dressing materials, the same opening ceremony featuring the 'starball' centre circle ceremony, and hear the same UEFA Champions League Anthem". Based on research it conducted, TEAM concluded that by 1999, "the starball logo had achieved a recognition rate of 94 percent among fans".[71]

## Format

[edit]

A map of UEFA countries whose teams have reached the league phase or group stage of the UEFA Champions League

UEFA member state that has been represented in the league phase or group stage

UEFA member state that has not been represented in the league phase or group stage

### Qualification

[edit]

See also: UEFA coefficient

The UEFA Champions League used to begin with a double round-robin group stage of 32 teams until it evolved into a league phase of 36 teams, which is preceded by two qualification 'streams' for teams that do not receive direct entry to the tournament proper. The two streams are divided between teams qualified by virtue of being league champions, and those qualified by virtue of finishing second, third or fourth in their national championship.

The number of teams that each association enters into the UEFA Champions League is based upon the UEFA coefficients of the member associations. These coefficients are generated by the results of clubs representing each association during the previous five Champions League, Europa League and Conference League seasons. The higher an association's coefficient, the more teams represent the association in the Champions League, and the fewer qualification rounds the association's teams must compete in.

Five of the remaining seven qualifying places are granted to the winners of a four-round qualifying tournament between the remaining 43 or 44 national champions, within which those champions from associations with higher coefficients receive byes to later rounds. The other two are granted to the winners of a three-round qualifying tournament between ten and eleven clubs from the associations ranked 5–6 through 15, which have qualified based upon finishing second, third or fourth in their respective national league.

In addition to sporting criteria, any club must be licensed by its national association to participate in the Champions League. To obtain a license, the club must meet certain stadium, infrastructure and finance requirements.

In 2005–06, Liverpool and Artmedia Bratislava became the first teams to reach the Champions League group stage after playing in all three qualifying rounds. Real Madrid and Barcelona hold the record for the most appearances in the group stage, having qualified 25 times, followed by Porto and Bayern Munich on 24.[72]

Between 1999 and 2008, no differentiation was made between champions and non-champions in qualification. The 16 top-ranked teams spread across the biggest domestic leagues qualified directly for the tournament group stage. Prior to this, three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds whittled down the remaining teams, with teams starting in different rounds.

An exception to the usual European qualification system happened in 2005, after Liverpool won the Champions League the year before, but did not finish in a Champions League qualification place in the Premier League that season. UEFA gave special dispensation for Liverpool to enter the Champions League, giving England five qualifiers.[73] UEFA subsequently ruled that the defending champions qualify for the competition the following year regardless of their domestic league placing. However, for those leagues with four entrants in the Champions League, this meant that, if the Champions League winner fell outside of its domestic league's top four, it would qualify at the expense of the fourth-placed team in the league. Until 2015–16, no association could have more than four entrants in the Champions League.[74] In May 2012, Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the 2011–12 Premier League, two places ahead of Chelsea, but failed to qualify for the 2012–13 Champions League, after Chelsea won the 2012 final.[75] Tottenham were demoted to the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League.[75]

In May 2013,[76] it was decided that, starting from the 2015–16 season (and continuing at least for the three-year cycle until the 2017–18 season), the winners of the previous season's UEFA Europa League would qualify for the UEFA Champions League, entering at least the play-off round, and entering the group stage if the berth reserved for the Champions League title holders was not used. The previous limit of a maximum of four teams per association was increased to five, meaning that a fourth-placed team from one of the top three ranked associations would only have to be moved to the Europa League if both the Champions League and Europa League winners came from that association and both finished outside the top four of their domestic league.[77]

In 2007, Michel Platini, the UEFA president, had proposed taking one place from the three leagues with four entrants and allocating it to that nation's cup winners. This proposal was rejected in a vote at a UEFA Strategy Council meeting.[78] In the same meeting, however, it was agreed that the third-placed team in the top three leagues would receive automatic qualification for the group stage, rather than entry into the third qualifying round, while the fourth-placed team would enter the play-off round for non-champions, guaranteeing an opponent from one of the top 15 leagues in Europe. This was part of Platini's plan to increase the number of teams qualifying directly into the group stage, while simultaneously increasing the number of teams from lower-ranked nations in the group stage.[79]

In 2012, Arsène Wenger referred to qualifying for the Champions League by finishing in the top four places in the Premier League as the "4th Place Trophy". The phrase was coined after a pre-match conference when he was questioned about Arsenal's lack of a trophy after exiting the FA Cup. He said "The first trophy is to finish in the top four".[80] At Arsenal's 2012 AGM, Wenger was also quoted as saying: "For me there are five trophies every season: Premier League, Champions League, the third is to qualify for the Champions League..."[81]

### League phase and knockout phase

[edit]

Beginning with the 2024–25 season, UEFA changed the format of their three club competitions, abandoning the group stage in favour of an expanded league phase.[82] The number of participating teams was increased from 32 to 36 teams. Teams are no longer divided into groups of four teams each but are ranked in a single table. Each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents. For the draw of the league phase, teams are divided into four seeding pots according to their UEFA coefficient. Each team will play against two teams from each pot, one home and one away. The league phase is played from September to January, while the knockout phase begins in February, with matches predominantly played on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

After the league phase, a two-legged knockout play-off round is played between teams finishing 9–16 (seeded) and 17–24 (unseeded) in the league phase. Teams finishing in the top eight of the league phase receive a bye to the round of 16 as seeded teams, while the eight winning teams from the knockout play-off round will enter the round of 16 draw as unseeded teams. Teams finishing 25th–36th place in the league phase and the eight losers of the knockout play-offs are eliminated from the competition and from European football since it is no longer possible to enter the Europa League from the league phase onwards.

After the round of 16 the competition follows the traditional knockout format with quarter-finals, semi-finals (both two legged and without association draw protection) and then the final at a venue chosen prior to the season. The final is typically held in late May or early June.

Prior to the 2024–25 season, the tournament proper began with a group stage of 32 teams, divided into eight groups of four.[83] The draw to determine which teams entered each group was seeded based on each team's UEFA coefficient, and no group could contain more than one club from each association. Each team played six group stage games, meeting the other three teams in its group home and away in a round-robin format.[83] The first place team and the runners-up from each group then progressed to the next round. The third-placed teams entered the Europa League's knockout round and the fourth-placed teams were eliminated from the competition.

For the next stage – the last 16 – the winning team from one group played against the runners-up from another group, but teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other (see random two-sided matching). From the quarter-finals onwards, the draw was entirely random, without association protection.[84]

The group stage was played from September to December, whilst the knockout stage began in February, with matches usually played on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The knockout ties were played in a two-legged format, with the exception of the final. In the 2019–20 season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the tournament was suspended for five months. The format of the remainder of the tournament was temporarily amended as a result, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals being played as single match knockout ties at neutral venues in Lisbon, Portugal in the summer with the final taking place on 23 August 2020.[85]

### Distribution

[edit]

The following is the default access list.

Access list for UEFA Champions League from 2024−25 season[86] | Teams entering in this round  | Teams advancing from the previous round

|
|

First qualifying round
(32 teams)  |

* 32 champions from associations 23–55 (except Liechtenstein)

Second qualifying round  | Champions Path
(24 teams)  |

* 8 champions from associations 15–22

* 16 winners from the first qualifying round

League Path
(6 teams)  |

* 6 runners-up from associations 10–15

Third qualifying round  | Champions Path
(12 teams)  |  |

* 12 winners from the second qualifying round (Champions Path)

League Path
(8 teams)  |

* 3 runners-up from associations 7–9
* 1 third-placed team from association 6
* 1 fourth-placed team from association 5

* 3 winners from the second qualifying round (League Path)

Play-off round  | Champions Path
(10 teams)  |

* 4 champions from associations 11–14

* 6 winners from the third qualifying round (Champions Path)

League Path
(4 teams)  |  |

* 4 winners from the third qualifying round (League Path)

League phase
(36 teams)  |

* UEFA Champions League title holders
* UEFA Europa League title holders
* 10 champions from associations 1–10
* 6 runners-up from associations 1–6
* 5 third-placed teams from associations 1–5
* 4 fourth-placed teams from associations 1–4
* 2 teams from associations with the highest 1-year association coefficient

* 5 winners from the play-off round (Champions Path)
* 2 winners from the play-off round (League Path)

Preliminary knockout round
(16 teams)  |  |

* 16 teams ranked from 9−24 in league phase

Knockout phase
(16 teams)  |  |

* 8 Winners from previous play-off
* 8 Teams ranked from 1−8 in league phase

Changes will be made to the access list above if the Champions League or Europa League title holders qualify for the tournament via their domestic leagues.

* If the Champions League title holders qualify for the league phase via their domestic league's standard berth allocation, the best champions in qualifying rounds enter the league phase, and champions of the highest-ranked associations in earlier rounds are also promoted accordingly.
* If the Europa League title holders qualify for the league phase via their domestic league's standard berth allocation, the best club in qualifying rounds enters the league phase, except for the runners-up of associations 11–15, as they have a higher-ranked domestic team in the qualifiers, and teams of the highest-ranked associations in earlier rounds are also promoted accordingly.
* If the Champions League or Europa League title holders qualify for the qualifying rounds via their domestic league, their spot in the qualifying rounds is vacated, and teams of the highest-ranked associations in earlier rounds are promoted accordingly.

## Prizes

[edit]

### Trophy and medals

[edit]

Main article: European Champion Clubs' Cup

The trophy

Each year, the winning team is presented with the European Champion Clubs' Cup, the current version of which has been awarded since 1967. From the 1968–69 season and prior to the 2008–09 season any team that won the Champions League three years in a row or five times overall was awarded the official trophy permanently.[87] Each time a club achieved this, a new official trophy had to be forged for the following season.[88] Five clubs own a version of the official trophy: Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Milan and Liverpool.[87] Since 2008, the official trophy has remained with UEFA and the clubs are awarded a replica.[87]

The current trophy is 74 cm (29 in) tall and made of silver, weighing 11 kg (24 lb). It was designed by Jürg Stadelmann, a jeweller from Bern, Switzerland, after the original was given to Real Madrid in 1966 in recognition of their six titles to date, and cost 10,000 Swiss francs.

As of the 2012–13 season, 40 gold medals are presented to the Champions League winners, and 40 silver medals to the runners-up.[89]

### Prize money

[edit]

Starting with the 2024–25 season, the distribution of the prize money is as follows.[90]

* Play-off round: €4,290,000
* Base fee for league phase: €18,620,000
* League phase victory: €2,100,000
* League phase draw: €700,000
* League phase top 8: €2,000,000
* League phase ranked 9 through 16: €1,000,000
* Knockout round play-offs: €1,000,000
* Round of 16: €11,000,000
* Quarter-finals: €12,500,000
* Semi-finals: €15,000,000
* Runners-up: €18,500,000
* Champions: €25,000,000

A large part of the distributed revenue from the UEFA Champions League is linked to the "market pool", the distribution of which is determined by the value of the television market in each nation. For the 2019–20 season, Paris Saint-Germain, who were the runners-up, earned nearly €126.8 million in total, of which €101.3 million was prize money, compared with the €125.46 million earned by Bayern Munich, who won the tournament and were awarded €112.96 million in prize money.[91]

## Sponsorship

[edit]

A can of Heineken with the branding of the 2011 UEFA Champions League final Real Madrid were barred from wearing their bwin-sponsored jerseys when they played against Galatasaray in Turkey in April 2013, where gambling advertisements are banned.

Like the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League is sponsored by a group of multinational corporations, in contrast to the single main sponsor typically found in national top-flight leagues. When the Champions League was created in 1992, it was decided that a maximum of eight companies should be allowed to sponsor the event, with each corporation being allocated four advertising boards around the perimeter of the pitch, as well as logo placement at pre- and post-match interviews and a certain number of tickets to each match. This, combined with a deal to ensure tournament sponsors were given priority on television advertisements during matches, ensured that each of the tournament's main sponsors was given maximum exposure.[92]

From the 2012–13 knockout phase, UEFA used LED advertising hoardings installed in knockout participant stadiums, including the final. From the 2015–16 season onwards, UEFA has used such hoardings from the play-off round until the final.[93] Since 2021, the UEFA also used Virtual Board Replacement (VBR) technology to offer region-based advertising; regional sponsors are inserted into the hoardings as shown on the broadcast feed in specific regions along with the global sponsors.[94][95]

Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only two sponsorships are permitted per jersey in addition to that of the kit manufacturer, at the chest and the left sleeve.[96] Exceptions are made for non-profit organisations, which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area.[97]

If a club plays a match in a nation where the relevant sponsorship category is restricted (such as France's alcohol advertising restriction), then they must remove that logo from their jerseys. For example, when Rangers played French side Auxerre in the 1996–97 Champions League, they wore the logo of the holiday chain Center Parcs instead of their primary sponsor, McEwan's Lager (both companies at the time were subsidiaries of Scottish & Newcastle).[98]

The tournament's main sponsors for the 2024–27 cycle are:

* FedEx[99]
* Qatar Airways[100]
* Heineken N.V.[101]
* Just Eat Takeaway[102]
* Mastercard[103]
* PepsiCo[104]
* Gatorade
* Lay's
* Sony[105]
* PlayStation 5
* Bet365[106]
* Crypto.com[107]

Adidas is a secondary sponsor and supplies the official match ball, while Macron supplies the referee kits.[108]

## Media coverage

[edit]

Main article: List of UEFA Champions League broadcasters

The competition attracts an extensive television audience, not just in Europe, but throughout the world. The final of the tournament has been, in recent years, the most-watched annual sporting event in the world.[109] The final of the 2012–13 tournament had the competition's highest TV ratings to date, drawing approximately 360 million television viewers.[110]

## Team records and statistics

[edit]

Main article: European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics

See also: UEFA Champions League clubs performance comparison

### Performance by club

[edit]

Main article: List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals

Performances in the European Cup and UEFA Champions League by club

* v
* t
* e

Club  | Title(s)  | Runners-up  | Seasons won  | Seasons runner-up

|
|
|
|

Real Madrid | 15  | 3  | 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024 | 1962, 1964, 1981
Milan | 7  | 4  | 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007 | 1958, 1993, 1995, 2005
Bayern Munich | 6  | 5  | 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020 | 1982, 1987, 1999, 2010, 2012
Liverpool | 6  | 4  | 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019 | 1985, 2007, 2018, 2022
Barcelona | 5  | 3  | 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015 | 1961, 1986, 1994
Ajax | 4  | 2  | 1971, 1972, 1973, 1995 | 1969, 1996
Inter Milan | 3  | 3  | 1964, 1965, 2010 | 1967, 1972, 2023
Manchester United | 3  | 2  | 1968, 1999, 2008 | 2009, 2011
Juventus | 2  | 7  | 1985, 1996 | 1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015, 2017
Benfica | 2  | 5  | 1961, 1962 | 1963, 1965, 1968, 1988, 1990
Chelsea | 2  | 1  | 2012, 2021 | 2008
Nottingham Forest | 2  | 0  | 1979, 1980 | —
Porto | 2  | 0  | 1987, 2004 | —
Borussia Dortmund | 1  | 2  | 1997 | 2013, 2024
Celtic | 1  | 1  | 1967 | 1970
Hamburger SV | 1  | 1  | 1983 | 1980
Steaua București | 1  | 1  | 1986 | 1989
Marseille | 1  | 1  | 1993 | 1991
Manchester City | 1  | 1  | 2023 | 2021
Feyenoord | 1  | 0  | 1970 | —
Aston Villa | 1  | 0  | 1982 | —
PSV Eindhoven | 1  | 0  | 1988 | —
Red Star Belgrade | 1  | 0  | 1991 | —
Atlético Madrid | 0  | 3  | —  | 1974, 2014, 2016
Reims | 0  | 2  | —  | 1956, 1959
Valencia | 0  | 2  | —  | 2000, 2001
Fiorentina | 0  | 1  | —  | 1957
Eintracht Frankfurt | 0  | 1  | —  | 1960
Partizan | 0  | 1  | —  | 1966
Panathinaikos | 0  | 1  | —  | 1971
Leeds United | 0  | 1  | —  | 1975
Saint-Étienne | 0  | 1  | —  | 1976
Borussia Mönchengladbach | 0  | 1  | —  | 1977
Club Brugge | 0  | 1  | —  | 1978
Malmö FF | 0  | 1  | —  | 1979
Roma | 0  | 1  | —  | 1984
Sampdoria | 0  | 1  | —  | 1992
Bayer Leverkusen | 0  | 1  | —  | 2002
Monaco | 0  | 1  | —  | 2004
Arsenal | 0  | 1  | —  | 2006
Tottenham Hotspur | 0  | 1  | —  | 2019
Paris Saint-Germain | 0  | 1  | —  | 2020

### Performances by nation

[edit]

Performances in finals by nation  Nation  | Titles  | Runners-up  | Total

|
|
|

Spain | 20  | 11  | 31
England | 15  | 11  | 26
Italy | 12  | 17  | 29
Germany[a] | 8  | 11  | 19
Netherlands | 6  | 2  | 8
Portugal | 4  | 5  | 9
France | 1  | 6  | 7
Romania | 1  | 1  | 2
Scotland | 1  | 1  | 2
Yugoslavia[b] | 1  | 1  | 2
Belgium | 0  | 1  | 1
Greece | 0  | 1  | 1
Sweden | 0  | 1  | 1

Notes

1. ^ Includes clubs representing West Germany. No clubs representing East Germany appeared in a final.
2. ^ Both Yugoslav final appearances were by clubs from SR Serbia

## Player records

[edit]

Main article: European Cup and UEFA Champions League records and statistics § Players

### Most wins

[edit]

Paco Gento, first of the five players to have won the tournament on six occasions, appeared in eight finals. Dani Carvajal, the only player with six titles who started in all the finals he won, alongside Paco Gento. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most match wins in the tournament. No. of wins  | Player  | Club(s)

|
|

6 | Paco Gento | Real Madrid (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966)
Toni Kroos | Bayern Munich (2013)
Real Madrid (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
Luka Modrić
Nacho
5 | Juan Alonso | Real Madrid (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
Rafael Lesmes
Marquitos
Héctor Rial
Alfredo Di Stéfano
José María Zárraga
Alessandro Costacurta | AC Milan (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007)
Paolo Maldini
Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United (2008)
Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Gareth Bale | Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
Karim Benzema
Casemiro
Isco
Marcelo
Lucas Vázquez | Real Madrid (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024)
4 | Joseíto | Real Madrid (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959)
Enrique Mateos | Real Madrid (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960)
Juan Santisteban
José Santamaría | Real Madrid (1958, 1959, 1960, 1966)
Phil Neal | Liverpool (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984)
Clarence Seedorf | Ajax (1995)
Real Madrid (1998)
AC Milan (2003, 2007)
Andrés Iniesta | Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015)
Lionel Messi
Xavi
Gerard Piqué | Manchester United (2008)
Barcelona (2009, 2011, 2015)
Sergio Ramos | Real Madrid (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Raphaël Varane
Mateo Kovačić | Real Madrid (2016, 2017, 2018)
Chelsea (2021)
David Alaba | Bayern Munich (2013, 2020)
Real Madrid (2022, 2024)

### Most appearances

[edit]

Main article: List of footballers with 100 or more UEFA Champions League appearances

As of 11 December 2024[111][112]

Players that are still active in Europe are highlighted in boldface.
The table below does not include appearances made in the qualification stage of the competition.

Rank  | Player  | Nation  | Apps | Years  | Club(s) (Apps)

|
|
|
|
|

1  | Cristiano Ronaldo |  Portugal | 183  | 2003–2022  | Manchester United (59), Real Madrid (101), Juventus (23)
2  | Iker Casillas |  Spain | 177  | 1999–2019 | Real Madrid (150), Porto (27)
3  | Lionel Messi |  Argentina | 163  | 2005–2023  | Barcelona (149), Paris Saint-Germain (14)
4  | Thomas Müller |  Germany | 156  | 2009–  | Bayern Munich
5  | Karim Benzema |  France | 152  | 2005–2023  | Lyon (19), Real Madrid (133)
6  | Toni Kroos |  Germany | 151  | 2008–2024  | Bayern Munich (41), Real Madrid (110)
Xavi |  Spain | 1998–2015  | Barcelona
8  | Manuel Neuer |  Germany | 145  | 2007–  | Schalke 04 (22), Bayern Munich (123)
9  | Sergio Ramos |  Spain | 142  | 2005–2023  | Real Madrid (129), Paris Saint-Germain (8), Sevilla (5)
Raúl |  Spain | 1995–2011  | Real Madrid (130), Schalke 04 (12)

### Most goals

[edit]

Main article: List of UEFA Champions League top scorers

As of 11 December 2024[113][114]

A ‡ indicates the player was from the European Cup era.
Players taking part in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League are highlighted in bold.

The table below does not include goals scored in the qualification stage of the competition.
Rank  | Player  | Goals  | Apps | Ratio  | Years  | Club(s) (Goals/Apps)

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Cristiano Ronaldo | 140  | 183  | 0.77  | 2003–2022 | Manchester United (21/59), Real Madrid (105/101), Juventus (14/23)
2  |  Lionel Messi | 129  | 163  | 0.79  | 2005–2023  | Barcelona (120/149), Paris Saint-Germain (9/14)
3  |  Robert Lewandowski | 101  | 126  | 0.8  | 2011–  | Borussia Dortmund (17/28), Bayern Munich (69/78), Barcelona (15/20)
4  |  Karim Benzema | 90  | 152  | 0.59  | 2005–2023  | Lyon (12/19), Real Madrid (78/133)
5  |  Raúl | 71  | 142  | 0.50  | 1995–2011 | Real Madrid (66/130), Schalke 04 (5/12)
6  |  Ruud van Nistelrooy | 56  | 73  | 0.77  | 1998–2009  | PSV Eindhoven (8/11), Manchester United (35/43), Real Madrid (13/19)
7  |  Thomas Müller | 55  | 156  | 0.35  | 2009–  | Bayern Munich
8  |  Kylian Mbappé | 50  | 79  | 0.63  | 2016–  | Monaco (6/9), Paris Saint-Germain (42/64), Real Madrid (2/6)
Thierry Henry | 50  | 112  | 0.45  | 1997–2012  | Monaco (7/9), Arsenal (35/77), Barcelona (8/26)
10  |  Alfredo Di Stéfano ‡ | 49  | 58  | 0.84  | 1955–1964  | Real Madrid

## Awards

[edit]

### Player of the Season

[edit]

Starting from the 2021–22 edition, UEFA introduced the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award.

The jury is composed of the coaches of the clubs that participated in the group stage of the competition, as well as 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, one from each UEFA member association.

Season  | Player  | Club

|
|

UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
2021–22 |  Karim Benzema |  Real Madrid
2022–23 |  Rodri |  Manchester City
2023–24 |  Vinícius Júnior |  Real Madrid

### Young Player of the Season

[edit]

In the same season, UEFA also introduced the UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season award.

Season  | Player  | Club

|
|

UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season
2021–22 |  Vinícius Júnior |  Real Madrid
2022–23 |  Khvicha Kvaratskhelia |  Napoli
2023–24 |  Jude Bellingham |  Real Madrid

## See also

[edit]

* Continental football championships
* List of association football competitions

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[edit]

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90. ^ "Distribution to clubs from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and the UEFA Super Cup for the 2024–27 cycle (2024/25 season)" (PDF). 22 March 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
91. ^ Trullols, Javier (23 April 2021). "Así repartió la Uefa los 2.419 millones en ingresos de la Champions 2019-2020". Palco23 (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
92. ^ Thompson, Craig; Magnus, Ems (February 2003). "The Uefa Champions League Marketing" (PDF). Fiba Assist Magazine: 49–50\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2008.49-50&rft.date=2003-02&rft.aulast=Thompson&rft.aufirst=Craig&rft.au=Magnus,+Ems&rft_id=http://www.ekospor.com/Sports-Marketing/Sport%20Marketing%20uefa.pdf&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:UEFA+Champions+League" class="Z3988">
93. ^ "Regulations of the UEFA Champions League 2015–18 Cycle – 2015/2016 Season – Article 66 – Other Requirements" (PDF). UEFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
94. ^ "Uefa offers regional Champions League packages in China, US using virtual LED ads". SportBusiness. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
95. ^ "UEFA Circular Economy Guidelines" (PDF).
96. ^ "UEFA Documents". UEFA. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
97. ^ UEFA Kit Regulations Edition 2012 (PDF). Nyon: UEFA. pp. 37, 38. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
98. ^ Devlin, John (3 July 2009). "An alternative to alcohol". truecoloursfootballkits.com. True Colours. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2013. "Rangers have actually sported the Center Parcs logo during the course of two seasons."
99. ^ Williams, Matthew. "FedEx delivers upgrade from Europa League to Champions League sponsor". SportBusiness. SBG Companies Limited. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
100. ^ "Qatar Airways becomes official airline partner of the UEFA Champions League". UEFA.com (Press release). Union of European Football Associations. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
101. ^ "HEINEKEN extends UEFA club competition sponsorship". UEFA.com (Press release). Union of European Football Associations. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
102. ^ Carp, Sam. "Uefa's Just Eat sponsorship covers Champions League and Women's Euro". SportsPro. SportsPro Media Limited. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
103. ^ Carp, Sam. "Uefa cashes in Mastercard renewal". SportsPro. SportsPro Media Limited. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
104. ^ "PepsiCo renews UEFA Champions League Partnership". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
105. ^ "UEFA Champions League and PlayStation Renew Partnership until 2024". UEFA.com (Press release). Union of European Football Associations. 30 July 2021. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
106. ^ "bet365 becomes official global partner of the UEFA Champions League". UEFA.com (Press release). Union of European Football Associations. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
107. ^ "UEFA and Crypto.com announce UEFA Champions League sponsorship". UEFA.com (Press release). Union of European Football Associations. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
108. ^ "Macron signs three-year deal to become official UEFA referee kit supplier". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
109. ^ "Champions League final tops Super Bowl for TV market". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
110. ^ Chishti, Faisal (30 May 2013). "Champions League final at Wembley drew TV audience of 360 million". Sportskeeda. Absolute Sports. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
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## External links

[edit]

* Official website (in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese)
* UEFA – Official website

Wikimedia Commons has media related to UEFA Champions League.

Articles related to the UEFA Champions League

* v
* t
* e

European Cup and UEFA Champions League

European Cup era, 1955–1992

Seasons|

* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

Finals|

* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992

UEFA Champions League era, 1992–present

Seasons|

* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25
* 2025–26

Finals|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026
* 2027

* History
* Records and statistics
* Top scorers
* Hat-tricks
* Appearances
* Winning managers
* Performance comparison
* UEFA coefficient
* Anthem
* Broadcasters
* in the US
* Video games
* Trophy
* Extra-sporting events
* 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster
* 2007 Roma–Manchester United conflict
* 2017 Turin stampede
* 2022 Paris chaos

* v
* t
* e

European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners

European Cup era, 1955–1992

1950s|

* 1955–56: Real Madrid
* 1956–57: Real Madrid
* 1957–58: Real Madrid
* 1958–59: Real Madrid
* 1959–60: Real Madrid

1960s|

* 1960–61: Benfica
* 1961–62: Benfica
* 1962–63: AC Milan
* 1963–64: Inter Milan
* 1964–65: Inter Milan
* 1965–66: Real Madrid
* 1966–67: Celtic
* 1967–68: Manchester United
* 1968–69: AC Milan
* 1969–70: Feyenoord

1970s|

* 1970–71: Ajax
* 1971–72: Ajax
* 1972–73: Ajax
* 1973–74: Bayern Munich
* 1974–75: Bayern Munich
* 1975–76: Bayern Munich
* 1976–77: Liverpool
* 1977–78: Liverpool
* 1978–79: Nottingham Forest
* 1979–80: Nottingham Forest

1980s|

* 1980–81: Liverpool
* 1981–82: Aston Villa
* 1982–83: Hamburger SV
* 1983–84: Liverpool
* 1984–85: Juventus
* 1985–86: Steaua București
* 1986–87: Porto
* 1987–88: PSV
* 1988–89: AC Milan
* 1989–90: AC Milan

1990s|

* 1990–91: Red Star Belgrade
* 1991–92: Barcelona

UEFA Champions League era, 1992–present

1990s|

* 1992–93: Marseille
* 1993–94: AC Milan
* 1994–95: Ajax
* 1995–96: Juventus
* 1996–97: Borussia Dortmund
* 1997–98: Real Madrid
* 1998–99: Manchester United
* 1999–2000: Real Madrid

2000s|

* 2000–01: Bayern Munich
* 2001–02: Real Madrid
* 2002–03: AC Milan
* 2003–04: Porto
* 2004–05: Liverpool
* 2005–06: Barcelona
* 2006–07: AC Milan
* 2007–08: Manchester United
* 2008–09: Barcelona
* 2009–10: Inter Milan

2010s|

* 2010–11: Barcelona
* 2011–12: Chelsea
* 2012–13: Bayern Munich
* 2013–14: Real Madrid
* 2014–15: Barcelona
* 2015–16: Real Madrid
* 2016–17: Real Madrid
* 2017–18: Real Madrid
* 2018–19: Liverpool
* 2019–20: Bayern Munich

2020s|

* 2020–21: Chelsea
* 2021–22: Real Madrid
* 2022–23: Manchester City
* 2023–24: Real Madrid

* Finals
* Winning managers

* v
* t
* e

UEFA competitions

Football|

| National teams|

* European Championship
* U-21
* U-19
* U-17
* Nations League
* Finalissima
* Women's Championship
* U-19
* U-17
* Women's Nations League
* Women's Finalissima
* Meridian Cup (defunct)

|

Clubs|

* Champions League
* Europa League
* Conference League
* Super Cup
* Club Challenge
* Youth League
* Under-20 Intercontinental Cup
* Women's Champions League
* Women's Europa Cup
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)
* Intertoto Cup (defunct)
* Intercontinental Cup (defunct)
* Intercontinental Champions' Supercup (defunct)

Amateurs|

* Regions' Cup
* Amateur Cup (defunct)

Futsal|

| National teams|

* Futsal Championship
* U-21 (defunct)
* U-19
* Futsal Finalissima
* Women's Futsal Championship

|

Clubs|

* Futsal Champions League

* UEFA men's club competitions
* Records and statistics
* Winning teams
* Winning managers
* UEFA coefficient
* FENIX Trophy
* Policies
* Bosman ruling
* Coaching licences
* Financial Fair Play Regulations
* Homegrown Player Rule
* Respect campaign
* Stadium categories
* Issues
* Proposals for a European Super League
* UEFA–CONMEBOL memorandum of understanding
* 2009 European football match-fixing scandal

* v
* t
* e

International men's club football competitions

* Under-20 Intercontinental Cup
* World Leagues Forum
* Lists of association football clubs (Most successful clubs)

Global|

* FIFA – Club World Cup
* Intercontinental Cup

Africa|

* CAF – Champions League
* Confederation Cup
* Super Cup
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)
* CAF Cup (defunct)

Asia|

* AFC – Champions League Elite
* Champions League Two
* Challenge League
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)
* Super Cup (defunct)

Europe|

* UEFA – Champions League
* Europa League
* Conference League
* Super Cup
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)
* Intertoto Cup (defunct)

North,
Central America
and the Caribbean|

* CONCACAF – Champions Cup
* Leagues Cup
* Central American Cup
* Caribbean Cup
* Carribbean Club Shield
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)
* Caribbean Club Championship (defunct)
* CONCACAF League (defunct)
* North American SuperLiga (defunct)
* Copa Interclubes Centroamericana (defunct)

Oceania|

* OFC – Champions League
* Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)

South America|

* CONMEBOL – Copa Libertadores
* Copa Sudamericana
* Recopa Sudamericana

Other|

* Arab Club Champions Cup
* Intercontinental Cup (defunct)
* Afro-Asian Club Championship (defunct)
* Copa Interamericana (defunct)

See also: International women's club football

* v
* t
* e

Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)

Two-legged editions|

* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* ~~1975~~
* 1976
* 1977
* ~~1978~~
* 1979

Single match editions|

* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004

Qualification|

* CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores
* UEFA Champions League

Related competitions|

| Predecessors|

* Copa Rio
* Small Club World Cup
* International Soccer League

|

Supercup|

* Champions' Supercup

Successors|

* FIFA Club World Cup (2000–2001, 2005–present)
* FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2024–present)
* U20 Intercontinental Cup (2022–present)

* Goalscorers
* Records and statistics
* List of matches
* Winning managers
* World champion clubs

* v
* t
* e

FIFA Club World Cup

* Predecessor: Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)
* Related: FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2024–present)

Tournaments|

* Brazil 2000
* ~~Spain 2001~~
* Japan 2005
* Japan 2006
* Japan 2007
* Japan 2008
* UAE 2009
* UAE 2010
* Japan 2011
* Japan 2012
* Morocco 2013
* Morocco 2014
* Japan 2015
* Japan 2016
* UAE 2017
* UAE 2018
* Qatar 2019
* Qatar 2020
* UAE 2021
* Morocco 2022
* Saudi Arabia 2023
* United States 2025
* TBD 2029

Finals|

* 2000
* ~~2001~~
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2025

Squads|

* 2000
* ~~2001~~
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

Qualification|

* AFC Champions League Elite
* CAF Champions League
* CONCACAF Champions Cup
* Copa Libertadores
* OFC Champions League
* UEFA Champions League

Statistics|

* Awards
* Hat-tricks
* Historical table
* Participants
* Records and statistics
* Winning managers
* World champion clubs

* Category
* Portal
* Multimedia

* v
* t
* e

European sports club competitions

Football|

| UEFA club competitions|

* Men
* Champions League
* Europa League
* Conference League
* Super Cup
* Youth League
* Women
* Champions League

|

Football variants|

* Futsal
* Champions League
* Women's European Champions
* Beach soccer
* Euro Winners Cup
* Women's Euro Winners Cup

Basketball|

* Men
* EuroLeague
* EuroCup
* Champions League
* FIBA Europe Cup
* Next Generation Tournament
* Women
* EuroLeague
* EuroCup
* SuperCup

Volleyball|

* Men
* Champions League
* CEV Cup
* Challenge Cup
* Women
* Champions League
* CEV Cup
* Challenge Cup

Handball|

* Men
* Champions League
* European League
* European Cup
* Women
* Champions League
* European League
* European Cup

Water polo|

* Men
* Champions League
* Euro Cup
* Challenger Cup
* Super Cup
* Women
* Champions League
* Euro Cup
* Challenger Cup
* Super Cup

Rugby union|

* Men
* European Rugby Champions Cup
* EPCR Challenge Cup
* Rugby Europe Super Cup

Ice hockey|

* Men
* Champions Hockey League
* Continental Cup
* Women
* Champions Cup
* European Women's Hockey League

Indoor hockey|

* Men
* EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup
* Women
* EuroHockey Indoor Club Cup

Field hockey|

* Men
* Euro Hockey League
* Trophy I
* Trophy II
* Challenge
* Women
* Euro Hockey League
* Trophy
* Challenge

Roller hockey|

* Men
* Champions League
* WSE Cup
* Continental Cup
* Women
* Champions League

Table tennis|

* Men and women
* Champions League
* ETTU Cup
* ETTU Europe Trophy

Badminton|

* Men and women
* Europe Cup

Baseball|

* Men
* Champions Cup
* Confederation Cup
* Federation Cup

Softball|

* Men
* European Cup
* Cup Winners Cup
* Women
* European Cup
* Cup Winners Cup
* Mixed
* Super Cup

Korfball|

* Mixed
* Champions League
* Europa Cup
* Europa Shield
* European Bowl

American football|

* Men
* European League of Football
* Central European Football League

Athletics|

* Men and women
* Champion Clubs Cup
* Champion Clubs Cup Cross Country

Chess|

* Men
* European Chess Club Cup
* Women
* European Chess Club Cup

Rugby league|

* Men
* European Super League

Lacrosse|

* Men and women
* Ken Galluccio Cup

Judo|

* Men and women
* Champions League
* Europa League

Floorball|

* Men
* Champions Cup
* EuroFloorball Cup

Wheelchair basketball|

* Men
* IWBF Champions League
* EuroCup 1
* EuroCup 2
* EuroCup 3

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Czech Republic
* Israel

Portals:

* Sports
* Association football
* Europe

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Apps]: Appearances