Teams in Champions League 2026-27: Updated list of club sides playing in league phase of UEFA tournament

As the biggest club competition in global football, the UEFA Champions League is back for another year of epic matchups, superstar clashes and world-class goals.

Two-time defending champions Paris Saint-Germain are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive European title, something only three clubs have ever accomplished.

Seeking to dethrone them are giants of Europe, such as Barcelona, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and many others from around the world. Along with them are minnows who have put themselves on the big stage, such as Italian side Como, who have qualified for Europe's top competition for the first time in club history.

The Sporting News brings you a look at all the clubs to have earned a spot in the greatest annual football competition in the world.

MORE: Barcelona predicted lineup for 2026/27 | Real Madrid | Arsenal | Man City

Teams qualified for the Champions League league phase 2026/27

In total, 36 teams will participate in the league phase of the Champions League in 2026/27.

Of those, 29 have qualified directly for this lucrative phase of the competition, while seven will earn a spot via the playoff rounds.

The top four teams in each of the four highest-ranked leagues across UEFA gain direct access to the league phase. After that, three teams qualify directly from the fifth-ranked league, two from the sixth-ranked league, and one from leagues ranked seven through 10.

Additionally, two places are earned via overall league performance in the previous season's UEFA competition structure, known as European Performance Spots (EPS). For the 2026/27 season, England and Spain have secured the additional places, with Germany just missing out.

League coefficients

League phase qualifiers

* England and Spain have mathematically secured a fifth Champions League place via the two slots awarded by UEFA to the top participants in the previous season's competitions.
** Because defending Champions League winners PSG have already qualified for next season's competition via domestic table position, the qualifying position awarded to the Champions League winner falls to the highest-ranked domestic title winner by coefficient not yet qualified to the league phase. This year, that is Shakhtar Donetsk.
*** Because Europa League winner Aston Villa have already qualified by Premier League table position, this slot falls to the highest-ranked club by coefficient not already qualified for the league phase. This year, that club is Sporting CP.

Teams qualified for the Champions League qualifying rounds

All nations ranked 11th or below in the UEFA coefficient will see their league champions qualify for the playoff round, as well as a few others from those qualifying spots given out to additional participants.

These fall into two "paths" of qualifying. Five participants from the "champions path," made up of all league champions, will reach the league phase from the qualifying rounds, while two participants from the "league path" will advance.

Qualifying Playoff Round

Third Qualifying Round

* Because Sporting CP and Shakhtar Donestsk were moved up to the league phase due to European champions already qualifying via table position, Olympiacos and Bodo/Glimt were then moved up from the second qualifying round to the third qualifying round.

Second Qualifying Round

* Because both Arsenal and PSG, who have reached the Champions League final, have both already qualified for next season's competition via domestic table position, Shakhtar Donetsk were moved up to the league phase. Slovan Bratislava and Celje were also moved up from the first qualifying round to the second qualifying round.

First Qualifying Round