The inaugural League Phase has brought an extra load of drama and excitement to the Champions League in its new format, with the 2024-25 season nearing its end and a pulsating final between PSG and Inter awaiting at the Allianz Arena at the end of May. Meanwhile, the qualification race for the new season is also underway, with certain teams already booking their place in the competition proper, even with their league campaign far from over. Ten of the 29 clubs with a direct slot to the League Phase have booked their spot.
Quick Summary – Champions League 2025-26 League Phase
England: 5 slots, Liverpool confirmed
Italy: 4 slots, Napoli & Inter Milan confirmed
Spain: 5 slots, Barcelona & Real Madrid confirmed
Germany: 4 slots, Bayern & Leverkusen confirmed
France: 3 slots, PSG confirmed
Greece: Olympiacos in via coefficient rankings
Czech Republic: Slavia Prague in via coefficient rankings
Here are all the teams that have qualified for the Champions League 2025-26 League Phase
Country | No. of Slots | Confirmed Teams |
England | 5 | Liverpool |
Italy | 4 | Napoli, Inter Milan |
Spain | 5 | Barcelona, Real Madrid |
Germany | 4 | Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen |
France | 3 | PSG |
Greece | 1 (via coefficient Rankings) | Olympiacos |
Czech Republic | 1 (via coefficient Rankings) | Slavia Prague |
England : 5 Slots in 2025-26 UCL
Due to their club performance in the current season, putting them in the high coefficient rankings, England will have five slots in the Champions League 2025-26 League Phase, an increase from the regular four. One more team will be qualifying for the tournament from the country, as two English teams, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, fight for the Europa League title. The winner receives a direct slot in the League Phase.
Liverpool
It has been a sensational year for Liverpool as they claim their second Premier League title in the first season post-Jurgen Klopp’s departure. Arne Slot became the fifth manager to win the title in his debut season as he guided the team to an enormous high, with celebration in front of fans for the first time, which few bet on at the start of the campaign. As a result, the Reds also booked their place in the Champions League for the 26th time, including the European Cup. The teams that will be joining them are still not clear, with only seven points separating second from fifth with three games to go.
Italy : 4 Slots in 2025-26 UCL
Italy will return to their usual four slots for the Champions League in the 2025-26 season, after having five teams this season due to high coefficient rankings.
Napoli
Napoli are rebuilding themselves under Antonio Conte and find themselves on top of the Serie A table, in a tight race with second-place Inter to maintain their position, just three points separating them with three games to go. Accumulating 77 points, the Partenopei have made it to the League Phase of the Champions League, returning to the competition after a one-season absence.
Inter Milan
Conte's former employees aim to retain their league honour alongside pursuing the Champions League title this season. Inter have named themselves in the second League Phase in the competition's history as their place in the top three is confirmed, even if they spiral out of the title race. This is their seventh straight participation since returning to Europe’s premier club competition in the 2018-19 season. Meanwhile, almost seven sides in Serie A are in this pulsating race to book their place in the Champions League.
Spain: 5 Slots in Champions League 2025-26
Spain will also have five teams, like England, in the Champions League 2025-26 League Phase due to their high coefficient ranking. Barcelona and Real Betis’ deep run in their respective European competitions has helped the case.
Barcelona
It was heartbreaking for Barcelona to fail to reach the Champions League final after their excellent transformation this season under Hansi Flick. However, they are very much in the race to complete a domestic treble, if not the quadruple, as they remain four points clear at the top of the La Liga table with four games remaining in the season. The Catalan giants have sealed their place in the League Phase for next season beforehand, set to be their 35th appearance in the competition.
Real Madrid
Falling from their levels of a treble-winning campaign last time, Real Madrid carry a gigantic task to displace Barcelona from the top of the league to prevent a trophyless season. However, they are favourites to manage a top-two finish, allowing them to continue their streak of qualifying for every Champions League since 1997. The record champions will be determined to rekindle their title hunt next season, possibly under a new manager, after losing the competition holders tag in their elimination from the quarterfinal stage in April 2025. Atlético Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Real Betis all stay in the battle for a top-five finish.
Germany : 4 Slots in 2025-26 Champions League
Germany has four slots in the League Phase of the 2025-26 Champions League, not having an additional slot this time due to the underwhelming performance of German teams in the UEFA competitions.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich regained its Bundesliga crown this season, with two games to go, under the tutelage of Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany. Harry Kane also won his first silverware of his career as the club returned to its usual celebratory fervour, which was missed last year. The Bavarians booked their place in the Champions League much earlier, set to fight next season to avenge their quarter-final exit to finalists Inter, which denied them a chance to play the final at their home.
Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen might have failed to replicate the extraordinary feat of last season, also losing to Bayern in the Champions League last-16 with a surprise semifinal exit from the DFB Pokal, their league campaign is still decent, with the second place sealed for them and a place in the League Phase secured. Leverkusen will have a new face leading them next season as their Spanish coach has decided to run his contract down. The Bundesliga also have a tight race for the top four with Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Mainz and Werder Bremen vying for the spot with just two games to go.
France : 3 Slots in 2025-26 Champions League
France will take their usual four spots in the League Phase of the 2025-26 Champions League.
Paris Saint-Germain
The talk of the present Champions League season has been PSG tuning into competition favourites after years of disappointment under the former title-winning coach Luis Enrique. The Parisians were ruthless as they reached their second Champions League final side by side, winning the Ligue 1 title unbeaten as they eye the most memorable campaign in club history. Due to their excellent domestic triumph, they are the only side to book their place in the League Phase from France, with five teams in the race to earn the remaining three spots.
Greece
Olympiacos
Olympiacos from Greece have earned an automatic league phase spot next season since Champions League finalists PSG and Inter have already qualified via their domestic league. The Thrylos qualified as the club with the best individual coefficient of all the domestic champions involved in the qualifying phase of the competition in this scenario, as per the new format introduced in 2024. Olympiacos won their 48th title in league history and are returning to the main stage of Europe’s premier club competition after four seasons.
Czech Republic
Slavia Prague
Similarly, Slavia Prague will directly qualify for the League Phase, having one of the best individual coefficient rankings, resulting in the same scenario as Olympiacos. Slavia started last season in the third qualifying round to get into the inaugural League Phase, but they will have the luxury of a direct spot this time. The team has successfully defended their league honour for the fourth consecutive season, with this being their 15th title.
