The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds are still being completed, but several leading contenders are already clear. Recent European performance, domestic success and changes made during the summer place Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid among the teams to watch when the league phase begins in September.
- Home >
- Soccer >
- UEFA Champions League >
- Who are the favorites to win the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League?
Who are the favorites to win the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League?
Paris Saint-Germain enters as back-to-back European champion, but Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid also have strong arguments to challenge for the trophy.
PSG remains the European benchmark
The obvious starting point is Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique's team has won the last two editions of the Champions League, beating Inter 5-0 in the 2025 final before defending its title against Arsenal in 2026, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Budapest. PSG became the first club since Real Madrid's 2016-18 run to successfully retain the trophy.
A core featuring Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, João Neves, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes gives PSG considerable continuity entering another European campaign.
Arsenal and Bayern have recent results behind them
Arsenal came remarkably close to ending last season as champion of both England and Europe. Mikel Arteta's side won the 2025-26 Premier League with 85 points, seven ahead of Manchester City, before reaching the Champions League final and losing to PSG in the shootout.
Bayern Munich has an equally strong domestic foundation. Vincent Kompany's team won the Bundesliga with 89 points and scored 122 goals in 34 league matches. Bayern also reached the Champions League semifinals, where PSG eliminated the German champion 6-5 on aggregate.
Rodri strengthens Barcelona as Real Madrid starts a new era
Barcelona's case has also become stronger. Hansi Flick's team enters as back-to-back LaLiga champion after collecting 94 points in 2025-26, while retaining a young core led by Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí.
The major addition is Rodri Hernández, who completed his move from Manchester City in August. Rodri captained Spain to the 2026 FIFA World Cup title and received the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. A midfielder with previous Champions League-winning experience, he adds control, leadership and proven quality to Flick's squad.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, begins another era under José Mourinho, who has returned as head coach on a contract through 2029. After Bayern eliminated Madrid in last season's quarterfinals, a squad featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham still gives the club enough individual quality to remain a major European threat.
With PSG defending consecutive titles and several European giants arriving with stronger or more established squads, the 2026-27 Champions League begins with multiple serious contenders for the trophy in Madrid.
