UEFA Champions League 2025/26 -

The 2025/26 season is the 71st season of Europe’s premier club competition and the 34th since it was renamed “UEFA Champions League.”
The final will be held on 30 May 2026 at Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are the defending champions, having won their first title in the 2024-25 final by defeating Inter Milan 5-0.

What’s New / Changed

There have been several key changes relative to older formats, many of which affect scheduling, format, competitiveness etc.:

Expanded League Phase (“Swiss-style” / single table):
- Instead of 32 teams in 8 groups of 4, there are now 36 teams in a single league table for the “League Phase.”
- Each team plays 8 matches against 8 different opponents (4 home, 4 away) instead of playing home & away vs the same 3 opponents.
Qualification / Progression Changes:
- After the league phase:
  - Top 8 teams advance directly to the Round of 16.
  - Teams ranked 9-24 enter a playoff to try to reach the last 16.
  - Teams below 24 are eliminated.
More Matches, More “Big” Fixtures Early On:
- Because of the new format, teams can meet stronger opponents earlier (not limited by group draws). This increases high-profile matches in the league phase.
- The number of matches overall in the league phase is higher and more spread out.
Technical Observers Group:
- There is a dedicated UEFA Technical Observer Group that reports in depth on coaching, tactics, performance, selecting Player of the Match, Goals of the Season etc.
Final Venue: First time the Puskás Aréna in Budapest will host a Champions League final.

Injury & Squad Depth Issues for Big Clubs:
PSG have concerns about key players missing matches due to injuries (e.g. Dembele out, others) which could impact their title defence.
New Technologies & Viewer Experience:
Platforms (e.g. Prime Video) are introducing features like real-time player tracking, AI overlays, metrics like sprint speeds, expected goals, etc. Enhancing fan engagement.
Criticism / Debate Over Format:
While many welcome the bigger, more exciting fixtures, some critique the “league phase” format as bloated, possibly less rested players, questions about competitive balance.
Who’s Favoured This Season:
Top clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Barcelona, PSG are among favourites to win. Betting markets reflect that.

PSG’s 5-0 in the final (2025) vs Inter Milan is a very large margin for a Champions League final.
The 2025 final marks PSG’s first ever Champions League title.

Here are FAQs you can include in your blog:

Question	Answer
What is the format for the 2025-26 Champions League?	36 teams in a single league phase. Each team plays 8 matches (4 home, 4 away) vs different opponents. Top 8 go straight to Round of 16; teams 9-24 play a playoff to get into Round of 16.
How many teams participate?	36 teams in the main competition (after qualifying rounds).
When does the season start and end?	League phase starts mid-September 2025. Final is 30 May 2026.
Where is the final played?	Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary.
Who won the previous season?	Paris Saint-Germain won in 2024-25. They beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
Has the format changed?	Yes, major changes: league phase replacing group stage, more teams, different path to elimination/playoffs.
Which teams are favorites this year?	PSG (defending champs), Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal etc.
Where and how to watch?	Different regions have different broadcasters. For example U.S. viewers via Paramount Plus. (You should check local broadcasters for your country)

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