Champions League 2026-27: Ranking and Reviewing All 36 Teams in the League Phase
Quick summary
The New York Times Athletic ranks and reviews all 36 teams competing in the Champions League league phase for the 2026-27 season, providing comprehensive analysis of every club's prospects.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThe league phase starts this week, but how do we think last season's winners PSG will fare? And what about beaten finalists Arsenal?
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What happened
With the Champions League league phase set to begin, The Athletic has produced a comprehensive ranking and review of all 36 participating teams. The piece assesses each club's chances, key strengths, weaknesses, and outlook heading into the new-format competition. It serves as a one-stop guide for fans and analysts looking to understand the landscape of European football's premier club tournament for the upcoming season. The ranking spans favourites through to the dark horses and underdogs, reflecting the expanded format that now includes 36 teams in a single league phase rather than the traditional group stage.
Chance analysis
The expanded 36-team Champions League league phase has fundamentally changed how the competition is previewed and consumed. A comprehensive team-by-team ranking like this highlights the sheer depth and unpredictability now baked into the format — with more clubs than ever in the mix, the gap between elite and aspirant teams narrows, and qualification for the knockout rounds becomes a more complex calculation. For readers following the tournament, such previews are essential orientation tools ahead of the first matchday, offering a structured way to understand where each club stands relative to its rivals and what to watch for as the league phase unfolds over the coming months.
Provides a structured baseline for assessing all 36 Champions League clubs heading into the 2026-27 league phase, shaping early-season expectations across the competition.