The curtain is slowly rising on another Champions League campaign, and Liverpool are already centre stage. With 29 clubs confirmed for the 2025–26 edition of Europe’s most prestigious competition, the storylines are beginning to form, and the cast is nearly complete.

Liverpool’s place was secured the moment they lifted the domestic crown last season, the club’s form under Arne Slot proving irresistible over the long haul. Joining them from England will be Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, each earning their spot with top-four finishes.

Newcastle United, who continue their upward trajectory, have taken one of UEFA’s European Performance Spots, a reward not just for domestic standing but broader consistency. Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, earned their ticket by claiming the 2024–25 Europa League title, adding historical weight to their return.

That makes six English sides in next season’s expanded league phase, reflecting the Premier League’s growing dominance not only in financial terms but in continental competitiveness.

Elsewhere, the familiar faces of Spain are again in the mix. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club have all booked their spots, with Villarreal benefitting from the other European Performance Spot. It speaks to the enduring depth of La Liga’s top tier, even as it adjusts to shifting hierarchies.

Germany and Italy have each sent four teams: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt represent the Bundesliga, while Atalanta, Internazionale, Juventus and Napoli fly the Serie A flag. The continent’s traditional powers remain, but their makeup is changing. This is no longer a closed shop.

France’s champions Paris Saint-Germain are joined by Marseille and Monaco, while the Netherlands are represented by Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Galatasaray, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Sporting CP and Union SG round out the confirmed group, as the final seven places await their fate via summer qualifiers.

For Liverpool and the rest, focus now shifts to 28 August, when the draw for the league phase takes place. Matchday one kicks off shortly after, across 16, 17 and 18 September.

The tournament will follow the new format introduced last season. Thirty-six teams will be seeded into four pots and drawn to face two sides from each, home and away. The design intends to increase competitiveness, variety and, perhaps most crucially, commercial appeal.

UEFA’s guidelines state: “In principle, teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other and each team may play against a maximum of two opponents from any other one association… The UEFA administration may determine alternative conditions for the draw… and may adapt any of the conditions… to avoid deadlock situations and/or take into account any relevant constraints.”

For Liverpool, this is not just a return to the Champions League. It is an opportunity to redefine themselves under Arne Slot on the European stage.