The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season is gearing up to be thrilling with the new League Phase format now confirmed. This revamped structure promises more blockbuster matchups from the start, thanks to how teams are grouped into Pots. Let’s break it down:
Pot 1: The Title Chasers
- Paris Saint-Germain (Defending Champions)
- Real Madrid
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Inter Milan
- Chelsea
- Borussia Dortmund
- Barcelona
These are elite clubs with the power to win it all. PSG enters this season as the team to beat, and the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern always make for a challenge.
Pot 2: Strong Challengers
- Arsenal
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Atlético Madrid
- Benfica
- Atalanta
- Villarreal
- Juventus
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Club Brugge
Pot 2 teams aren’t just there to fill the brackets—they’re strong contenders. Arsenal return with ambition, Juventus look to recapture past glories, and Leverkusen bring serious depth.
Pot 3: Wildcards
- Napoli
- Tottenham Hotspur
- PSV Eindhoven
- Ajax
- Sporting CP
- Olympiacos
- Slavia Prague
- Bodø/Glimt
- Marseille
These clubs can surprise anyone—with Napoli and Tottenham looking particularly strong. Ajax and Sporting are youth-powerhouses, while Bodø/Glimt always bring energy.
Pot 4: Giant Killers
- Newcastle United
- Monaco
- Galatasaray
- Copenhagen
- Athletic Club
- Union SG
- QarabaÄŸ
- Pafos
- Kairat Almaty
Pot 4 teams are dark-horse stories waiting to happen. Newcastle return in stylish form, Galatasaray bring passionate fans, and clubs like QarabaÄŸ could upstage bigger names.
Why the League Phase Changes Everything
The new format means teams each face a wider variety of opponents—they’re no longer locked into tight, predictable groups. From early on, we’ll see matchups like:
- PSG vs Juventus
- Real Madrid vs Arsenal
- Manchester City vs Napoli
Expect more high-stakes drama and fewer safe passes to the next round.
Key Questions to Watch
- Can PSG defend their crown amid stronger competition?
- Will big names like Real Madrid or Bayern re-establish dominance?
- Could a 'friendly rivals' showdown happen—a Manchester City vs Manchester United early on?
- Which Pot 3 or Pot 4 team pulls off a shocking group upset?