What is the UEFA Champions League?
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in world soccer: Europe's best clubs, qualified through their domestic leagues, competing for the trophy first contested as the European Cup in 1955–56. Paris Saint-Germain are back-to-back holders — 5–0 over Inter in Munich in 2025, then 4–3 on penalties over Arsenal at Budapest's Puskás Aréna on May 30, 2026.[1] [2]
How do clubs qualify and how does it work?
Entry is earned on the field: league position in UEFA's 55 domestic championships allocates the places, weighted by country coefficient — England, Spain, Italy and Germany send four or more clubs. Since 2024–25 the competition opens with a 36-team league phase (each club playing eight different opponents), feeding knockout rounds and a one-off final.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
Founded as the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1955 at the urging of L'Équipe, and rebranded the Champions League in 1992. Real Madrid's fifteen titles lead all clubs — including the first five, 1956–1960.[1] [4]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Paris Saint-Germain | Final: Budapest — 4–3 pens (1–1) vs Arsenal |
| 2024–25 | Paris Saint-Germain | Final: Munich — 5–0 vs Inter |
| 2023–24 | Real Madrid | Final: London (Wembley) — 2–0 vs Dortmund |
| 2022–23 | Manchester City | Final: Istanbul — 1–0 vs Inter |
| 2021–22 | Real Madrid | Final: Paris — 1–0 vs Liverpool |
| 2020–21 | Chelsea | Final: Porto — 1–0 vs Manchester City |
| 2019–20 | Bayern Munich | Final: Lisbon — 1–0 vs PSG |
| 2018–19 | Liverpool | Final: Madrid — 2–0 vs Tottenham |
| 2017–18 | Real Madrid | Final: Kyiv — 3–1 vs Liverpool |
| 2016–17 | Real Madrid | Final: Cardiff — 4–1 vs Juventus |
Champions of the last ten editions.
Why does it matter?
Its anthem nights are club soccer's biggest stage; playing — let alone winning — in the Champions League is the standard credential of the European elite, and the final is the most-watched annual sporting event in the world.[1] [2]
References
- UEFA — Champions League official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — PSG retain 2026 Champions League, beating Arsenal on penalties. Accessed August 2026.
- UEFA — 2026 Champions League final: Budapest. Accessed August 2026.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — European Cup / Champions League. Accessed August 2026.