Six England Premier League Clubs Set for Champions League 2025-26

The 2025-26 Champions League begins on 16 September with a record six England Premier League clubs participating. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur will compete in the 36-team league phase. Holders PSG defend their title, while the final is scheduled for 30 May 2026 at the Puskas Arena, Budapest.

After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the Champions League is back with a record six Premier League teams set to compete in Europe’s elite tournament. The new 36-team league phase begins on 16 September, with the final scheduled at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on 30 May 2026. Holders Paris Saint-Germain return after lifting their first title by defeating Inter Milan 5-0, while Real Madrid top UEFA’s coefficient rankings with 15 overall titles. Arsenal enter the campaign after a semi-final run last season, highlighted by a 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid, and have invested more than £150m in new forwards.

Chelsea return after two years out, buoyed by Club World Cup success and signings like Joao Pedro. Liverpool, ranked fifth, look to improve on last year’s last-16 exit, with new recruits including Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong. Manchester City, Champions League winners in 2023, endured a trophyless campaign but Pep Guardiola has added Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders to refresh the squad.

Newcastle United, ranked 85th, are back after two decades but face uncertainty over star striker Alexander Isak. Tottenham Hotspur return as Europa League champions under new boss Thomas Frank, with Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha strengthening their lineup.