UEFA Champions League

The competition features top-division European clubs competing in a group stage followed by a double-legged knockout format and a single-leg final to determine the winners. It is the most-watched club competition globally, ranking third behind the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. Renowned as one of the most prestigious football tournaments worldwide and the top club competition in European football, the Champions League is contested by national league champions and, in some cases, runners-up from their respective associations. Originally established in 1955 as the Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens (European Champion Clubs' Cup), the tournament was a knockout competition exclusively for European league champions. It was later rebranded as the UEFA Champions League in 1992, incorporating a group stage in 1991 and allowing multiple entries from select countries since 1997–98. The format has evolved over time, with the competition's entry criteria expanding to include runners-up and clubs from prominent leagues sending up to four teams. Teams that do not qualify for the Champions League may participate in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League since 2021. The Champions League commences in late June with preliminary rounds, followed by qualifying rounds and a play-off round, all conducted over two legs. The surviving teams advance to the group stage, where they are joined by pre-qualified teams to form eight groups of four. Matches are played in a round-robin system, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout phase leading to the final in late May or early June. The winner of the Champions League secures a spot in the following year's competition, as well as entry to the UEFA Super Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the upcoming FIFA Intercontinental Cup starting in 2024. Spanish clubs hold the record for the most Champions League victories with 19 titles, followed by England with 15 and Italy with 12. The highest number of winning clubs comes from England, with six teams having claimed the title. Overall, 23 clubs have triumphed in the tournament, with 13 winning it multiple times and eight successfully defending their title. Real Madrid stands out as the most successful club in the history of the competition, having clinched the trophy 14 times. Meanwhile, Manchester City currently holds the European crown after defeating Inter Milan 1–0 in the 2023 final to secure their inaugural title.