The Champions League is the highest level of competition for club soccer in the world, with top teams in Europe competing for the trophy each year. This season has been especially entertaining, featuring extremely competitive matchups, heated rivalries, dramatic comeback stories, successful underdogs and more. With the new format implemented this season, the 2025–26 Champions League is shaping up to be one of the most eventful tournaments in recent years.
This year, a new format allowed 36 total teams to compete in a league phase, instead of a group stage like past years. Each team played eight games total, four at home and four away, with the top eight teams at the end qualifying for the knockout round, while the teams placed nine through 24 playing in a qualifying round.
Most fans seem to think the new format is an improvement, including Summit sophomore and varsity soccer player Jacob Jenkins.
“I really enjoy the new format of the champions league because it has increased the number of games the whole league has, and the more games the better,” he said.
Jenkins will be rooting for Barcelona, who finished fifth in league play and will face Newcastle United in the first round.
Americans are well-represented in the Champions League this year. Folarin Balogun set a new U.S. record for goals in a single Champions League season with five goals in ten games. Weston McKennie has also been performing very well with four goals and one assist in ten games.
Three American players will compete in the knockout stage: Johnny Cardoso of Atlético Madrid, Yunus Musah of Atalanta and Malik Tillman of Bayer Leverkusen.
”I believe they are doing better than in years past, showing a promising future for U.S. men’s soccer,” said sophomore Laird Jessup, who hopes Chelsea will take home the trophy.
Arsenal are currently favorites to win the tournament after finishing the league with eight straight wins and no losses. They also are first in the Premier League and have drawn the easier side of the champions league bracket. Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt have had an inspiring run, defeating giants such as Manchester City, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid. Their surprising success is a reminder of why fans love soccer.
The Champions League has always been a prestigious tournament for Europe’s top clubs, and this year it has changed for the better. With crazy upsets and dramatic last-minute goals, the 2025–26 Champions League will be remembered by fans all around the world.
