The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League season is delivering intense competition as Europe’s top clubs battle for qualification under the tournament’s new 36-team league format. With each team playing eight league-phase matches, every point has become crucial in the race for automatic qualification and playoff places.
As things stand, Arsenal have emerged as the standout performers, sitting top of the Champions League table with a perfect record after seven matches.
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UEFA Champions League Table 2025/26 Overview
After seven games played, the league table paints a clear picture of which clubs are thriving and which teams are struggling to keep pace.
- Arsenal lead the standings with 21 points, winning all seven matches while conceding just two goals.
- Bayern Munich follow closely with 18 points, boasting one of the strongest attacking records in the competition.
- Real Madrid and Liverpool remain firmly in contention, both tied on 15 points as the race for the top eight intensifies.
The new format rewards consistency, as only the top eight teams qualify automatically for the Round of 16, while clubs placed 9th to 24th must navigate a two-legged playoff.
Top 10 Teams in the Champions League Table (After 7 Matches)
- Arsenal – 21 points
- Bayern Munich – 18 points
- Real Madrid – 15 points
- Liverpool – 15 points
- Tottenham Hotspur – 14 points
- Paris Saint-Germain – 13 points
- Newcastle United – 13 points
- Chelsea – 13 points
- Barcelona – 13 points
- Sporting CP – 13 points
Several heavyweight clubs including Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund remain within touching distance of the automatic qualification places.
Tight Mid-Table Battle for Playoff Spots
Positions 9 to 24 are separated by fine margins, with goal difference and head-to-head results likely to play a decisive role.
Teams such as Barcelona, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund are all fighting to either break into the top eight or secure a favourable playoff position.
With one match remaining in the league phase, the pressure is mounting across Europe.
Clubs Facing Early Elimination
At the lower end of the table, several teams are already facing elimination from European competition.
Clubs including Ajax, Benfica, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, and Kairat have struggled for consistency and currently sit outside the qualification zone, with limited chances of recovery.
How the New Champions League Format Works
The 2025/26 season continues UEFA’s revamped structure:
- 36 teams in one league table
- Each team plays 8 matches (4 home, 4 away)
- Top 8 teams qualify directly for the Round of 16
- 9th–24th enter knockout playoffs
- 25th–36th are eliminated
This format has increased competitiveness and ensured that every matchday significantly impacts the table.
What to Expect Next
As the final league-phase fixtures approach, fans can expect dramatic shifts in the table, especially among clubs chasing playoff qualification. One win or loss could determine whether a team advances automatically, enters the playoffs, or crashes out entirely.
The UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 season continues to prove that the new format delivers more drama, more elite clashes, and fewer meaningless matches.