The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League league phase has concluded, and the final table reveals the top performers, knockout qualifiers, and major standings storylines from Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
With a new 36-team format replacing traditional groups, each club played 8 matches, earning points in a single league table. Below, we break down the final standings, highlight the teams advancing to the Round of 16, those entering knockout playoffs, and key talking points from the competition’s early phase.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League Final Table (League Phase)
| Position | Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 4 | +19 | 24 |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 8 | +14 | 21 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 8 | +12 | 18 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | +10 | 17 |
| 5 | Barcelona | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 14 | +8 | 16 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 10 | +7 | 16 |
| 7 | Sporting CP | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 16 |
| 8 | Manchester City | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 16 |
| 9 | Real Madrid | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 12 | +9 | 15 |
| 10 | Inter Milan | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 7 | +8 | 15 |
| 11 | Paris Saint-Germain | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 14 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 7 | +10 | 14 |
| 13 | Juventus | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 13 |
| 14 | Atlético Madrid | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 13 |
| 15 | Atalanta | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
Note: Remaining teams finished lower in the standings and are either in knockout playoffs or eliminated.
Champions League Standings Explained
Top 8 Advance Directly to the Round of 16
The top eight teams in the final table secured automatic qualification for the Round of 16, avoiding the playoff round entirely.
Teams qualifying directly:
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
Positions 9–24 Enter Knockout Playoffs
Clubs finishing 9th through 24th advance to the knockout playoff round, where two-legged ties determine the remaining Round of 16 spots.
Notable playoff teams include:
- Real Madrid
- Inter Milan
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Newcastle United
- Juventus
- Atlético Madrid
- Atalanta
Elimination from European Competition
Teams finishing outside the top 24 are eliminated from the Champions League. Qualification for other European competitions depends on UEFA coefficient rules and domestic league placements.
Key Storylines from the 2025-26 League Phase
Arsenal’s Perfect Campaign
Arsenal topped the table with a flawless 8-0-0 record, emerging as the most consistent side in the league phase.
Premier League Strength in Europe
Four English clubs finished in the top eight, reinforcing the Premier League’s dominance in continental competition.
Tight Mid-Table Race
Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City all finished on 16 points, highlighting the competitiveness of the league phase.
Traditional Powers in the Playoff Mix
Real Madrid, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain face knockout playoff matches despite strong performances.
What’s Next in the Champions League
The competition now moves into the knockout rounds:
- Knockout Playoffs (9th–24th)
- Round of 16
- Quarterfinals
- Semifinals
- Final – scheduled for May 30, 2026 in Budapest