UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, (UCL or UEFA CL), known as the Champions League, is an annual football competition organized by UEFA. It is the first tier of European club football, above the Europa League and the Conference League. Real Madrid are the most successful club in the tournament's history, having won it 15 times.
 | |
| Founded | 1955[a] |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe (UEFA) |
| Number of teams |
|
| Qualifier for | |
| Related competitions | |
| Current champions |  Paris Saint-Germain(1st Title) |
| Most successful club(s) |  Real Madrid (15 Titles) |
| Television broadcasters | List of broadcasters |
| Website | Official website |
 2025–26 UEFA Champions League | |
Format
Clubs qualify for the competition based on their performance in their national leagues. The competition starts with qualifying before a round robin league phase to qualify for the knockout rounds, and a single-leg final.[1]
Overview
The first tournament took place in 1955–56 when it was called the European Champion Clubs' Cup, commonly known as the European Cup, 16 teams took part in the first tournament with Real Madrid winning, they went on to win the next four editions and are the only club to win the competition five times in a row. Since the 1992–93 tournament the competition has been called the UEFA Champions League.
Winners
Main articles: List of finals, Records and statistics, Top scorers
| Club | Winners | Last final won |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid
|
15 | 2024 |
 Milan
|
7 | 2007 |
 Bayern Munich
|
6 | 2020 |
 Liverpool
|
6 | 2019 |
| Barcelona
|
5 | 2015 |
| File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ajax | 4 | 1995 |
| Inter Milan
|
3 | 2010 |
| Manchester United
|
3 | 2008 |
| Chelsea
|
2 | 2021 |
 Porto
|
2 | 2004 |
| Juventus
|
2 | 1996 |
| Nottingham Forest
|
2 | 1980 |
| Benfica
|
2 | 1962 |
| Paris Saint-Germain
|
1 | 2025 |
| Manchester City
|
1 | 2023 |
| Borussia Dortmund
|
1 | 1997 |
| Marseille
|
1 | 1993 |
 Red Star Belgrade
|
1 | 1991 |
| File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg PSV Eindhoven | 1 | 1988 |
 Steaua București
|
1 | 1986 |
| Hamburger SV
|
1 | 1983 |
| Aston Villa
|
1 | 1982 |
| File:Flag of the Netherlands.svg Feyenoord | 1 | 1970 |
 Celtic
|
1 | 1967 |
UEFA Champions League Media
Alfredo Di Stéfano (pictured in 1959) led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cup titles between 1956 and 1960.
Johan Cruyff (pictured in 1972) won the European Cup three times in a row with Ajax.
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 "starball" logo is incorporated into the design of the competition's official match ball, the Adidas Finale.
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
Trofeo Champions League
A can of Heineken with the branding of the 2011 UEFA Champions League final
.png)
Notes
References
- ↑ New format for Champions League post-2024: Everything you need to know. uefa.com (12 June 2024)UEFA.