The Champions League is back, here's everything you need to know

The Champions League is back.

On 16, 17 and 18 September 2025, some of the biggest men's football teams in England will begin their matches in the league stage of this famous European competition.

Even if you know nothing about the Champions League yet, we've got you covered, explaining how it works, which English teams are involved, who they're playing first and which young players to watch out for.

This season, there are six English clubs in the Champions League. They are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham.

Usually, the top four teams in England's Premier League qualify, but this time two extra English teams have qualified.

European Performance Spot (EPS) – Because English clubs performed very well across Europe last season, England earned an extra place. Newcastle United took that spot, finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.

Europa League winner – Tottenham may have finished in 17th place in the Premier League, but they won the Europa League in 2024-25, and that trophy gives a Champions League place regardless of their Premier League position.

There are 36 clubs in the league stage of the Champions League.

Each team plays eight matches in this stage, facing eight different opponents, four at home and four away.

The eight opponents are chosen based on a draw that uses four 'pots'. Teams are seeded (ranked) into pots using their recent performance in Europe: Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3, Pot 4. Then each club gets drawn to play two opponents from each pot, one at home and one away.

After the eight league matches, the top eight teams in the table go straight to the round of 16 (the first big knockout round).

Teams finishing between 9th and 24th go into a play-off round to try and reach the knockout stages.

Teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated from the competition.

Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool, age 17

He became Liverpool's youngest ever Premier League goal scorer when he scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over Newcastle in August, just four days before his 17th birthday.

Max Dowman, Arsenal, age 15

Last month, Dowman became the second-youngest player ever to play in the Premier League when he made his debut against Leeds at 15 years and 235 days. Showing a lot of potential, he's been included in Arsenal's Champions League squad.

Jorrel Hato, Chelsea, age 19

Last season he was named the top under-21 player in the Dutch Eredivisie. In August 2025, he made a big move from Ajax to Chelsea for about £37 million.

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