The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season marks the second year of a revamped structure. From the number of teams to how ties are decided, UEFA has redefined the competition format with both entertainment and fairness in mind. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s new and what’s under review.
League Phase Changes: What’s Different?
More Teams Involved: The league phase now features 36 clubs (up from 32).
New Format – Swiss League: Instead of fixed groups, all clubs enter a single league table. Each team plays 8 matches – 4 at home, 4 away – against 8 different opponents.
Qualification Pathway:
29 teams qualify automatically.
7 teams secure spots via qualification rounds.
Knockout Phase: Who Advances?
Top 8 teams after the league phase go straight to the Round of 16.
Teams ranked 9th–24th enter two-legged playoffs for the remaining 8 spots.
Teams ranked 25th–36th are eliminated from all European competition.
Higher-ranked teams also gain home-leg advantage in the quarter-finals and semi-finals – a reward for strong league-phase performance.
Other Rule Updates to Note
Substitution Policy
Five substitutions allowed per team per match.
A sixth sub is allowed if the game goes into extra time.
Teams can make substitutions during a maximum of three stoppages in regular time (an extra stoppage permitted in extra time).
Substituted players cannot return.
VAR Coverage Expanded
VAR is active from the first qualifying round of the tournament.
This is the broadest application of VAR in Champions League history.
Extra Time & Country Protection (Under Review)
UEFA is considering removing extra time for all rounds except the final. If adopted, knockout ties level after two legs would go straight to penalties.
Country protection (preventing same-nation clashes before quarter-finals) is also being reconsidered after too many domestic matchups last season.
As of now, no final decisions have been made on these changes.
