2025–26 EHF Champions League

The tournament will run using the same format as the previous three seasons. The competition begins with a group stage featuring sixteen teams divided into two groups. Matches are played in a double round-robin system with home-and-away fixtures, fourteen in total for each team. In Groups A and B, the top two teams automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, with teams ranked third to sixth entering the playoff round. The knockout stage includes four rounds: the playoffs, quarter-finals, and a final-four tournament comprising two semifinals and the final. In the playoffs, eight teams are paired against each other in two-legged home-and-away matches (third-placed in group A plays sixth-placed group B; fourth-placed group A plays fifth-placed group B, etc.). The four aggregate winners of the playoffs advance to the quarterfinals, joining the top-two teams of Groups A and B. The eight quarterfinalist teams are paired against each other in two-legged home-and-away matches, with the four aggregate winners qualifying to the final-four tournament. In the final four tournament, the semifinals and the final are played as single matches at a pre-selected host venue. ==Association ranking==

Ten of the sixteen teams competing in the group stage will be determined through the EHF association ranking for the 2024–25 season, based on the results of the three previous seasons. The remaining six places will be awarded as wildcards. • Associations ranked 1–9 have their league champion qualify for the group stage and can apply their league runner-up for a wildcard. • The best-ranked association in the EHF European League can have its league champion and runner-up qualify for the group stage, but cannot apply for a wildcard. • Associations ranked outside the top nine can only have their league champion apply for a wildcard. ==Participating teams==

The first ten teams were revealed on 18 June 2025. The full list was announced on 24 June 2025. • WC Accepted wildcards Rejected wildcards ==Group stage==

The 16 teams were drawn into two groups of eight. Teams from the same national association could not be drawn into the same group. The draw took place on 27 June 2025. In the group stage, teams were ranked according to points (2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). After completion of the group stage, if two or more teams have scored the same number of points, the ranking will be determined as follows: • Highest number of points in matches between the teams directly involved; • Superior goal difference in matches between the teams directly involved; • Highest number of goals scored in matches between the teams directly involved; • Superior goal difference in all matches of the group; • Highest number of plus goals in all matches of the group; • Drawing of Lots A total of 11 national associations were represented in the group stage. GOG Håndbold came back after a year absence. Group A Group B ==Knockout stage==

Playoffs Quarterfinals Final four The final four will be held at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on 13 and 14 June 2026. Bracket Final ==Top goalscorers==