The UEFA Champions League is an annual football competition organized by UEFA, featuring top European clubs. The competition involves a round robin group stage followed by a knockout format and a single-leg final. It's the most watched club competition globally and the third most watched football competition overall, trailing only the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup. The Champions League is highly prestigious, contested by national league champions from their respective countries.
1900: Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz
In 1900, the champions of Belgium, Netherlands, and Switzerland, participated in the Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz, which was dubbed as the "club championship of the continent" by local newspapers.
1927: Creation of Mitropa Cup
The Mitropa Cup, a competition modeled after the Challenge Cup, was created in 1927 and played between Central European clubs.
1930: First Coupe des Nations
The Coupe des Nations, the first attempt to create a cup for national champion clubs of Europe, was played in 1930 in Geneva and was won by Újpest of Hungary.
1948: Inspiration for European Cup
Gabriel Hanot, editor of L'Équipe, was inspired to create a continent-wide tournament after receiving reports from his journalists over the highly successful South American Championship of Champions of 1948.
1949: Formation of the Latin Cup
In 1949, Latin European nations came together to form the Latin Cup.
September 1955: First European Cup Match
The first European Cup match took place on September 4, 1955, resulting in a 3-3 draw between Sporting CP and Partizan.
1955: Conception of the European Cup
In 1955, the European Champion Clubs' Cup was conceived in Paris as a continent-wide tournament for European champion clubs.
1955: Introduction of the European Cup
In 1955, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, commonly known as the European Cup, was introduced as a straight knockout tournament open only to the champions of Europe's domestic leagues.
1955: First European Cup Season
The first European Cup took place during the 1955-56 season with sixteen participating teams, some by invitation.
June 1956: First European Cup Final
The inaugural European Cup final was held on June 13, 1956, at the Parc des Princes between Stade de Reims and Real Madrid, where Real Madrid won 4-3.
1958: Real Madrid's Third Consecutive Title
Real Madrid won their third consecutive European Cup title in 1958 after defeating AC Milan in extra time.
1959: Real Madrid's Fourth Consecutive Title
Real Madrid won their fourth consecutive European Cup title in 1959 after defeating Stade de Reims 2-0.
1960: End of Real Madrid's Reign
Real Madrid's reign of European Cup titles ended in the 1960-61 season when they were defeated by their rivals, Barcelona, in the first round.
1960: Record-Breaking Final
The 1960 European Cup Final holds the record for the most goals scored in a final, with Real Madrid defeating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3.
1962: Benfica's Second Consecutive Title
Benfica won their second consecutive European Cup title in 1962 after defeating Real Madrid 5-3.
1963: AC Milan's First European Cup Title
AC Milan won their first European Cup title in 1963 after defeating Benfica 2-1 in a rematch of the previous year's final.
1966: New Trophy Design Following Real Madrid's Six Titles
The current Champions League trophy was designed by Jürg Stadelmann after Real Madrid received the original trophy permanently in 1966 for winning six titles. The new silver trophy is 74 cm tall, weighs 11 kg, and cost 10,000 Swiss francs to create.
1967: Celtic's First European Cup Title
In 1967, Celtic became the first British club to win the European Cup, defeating Inter Milan 2-1 in the final.
1967: Manchester United's First European Cup Title
Manchester United became the first English team to win the European Cup in 1967 after defeating Benfica 4-1 in the final.
1967: Introduction of Current European Champion Clubs' Cup
Since 1967, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, as it is currently known, has been awarded to the Champions League winner.
1968: Permanent Trophy Award for Three Consecutive or Five Total Wins
From 1968 to 2008, any club winning the Champions League three times in a row or five times in total received the official trophy permanently. Five clubs own a version: Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Milan, and Liverpool.
1968: Ajax Reaches Final
In the 1968-69 season, Ajax became the first Dutch team to reach the European Cup final, where they were defeated 4-1 by AC Milan.
1969: Feyenoord's European Cup Victory
In 1969, Feyenoord became the first Dutch team to win the European Cup, defeating the defending champions AC Milan in the second round and Celtic in the final.
1970: First Dutch Champions League Winners
Feyenoord became the first Dutch winners of the European Cup in 1970, marking the beginning of a successful era for Dutch football in the competition.
1971: Ajax's European Cup Victory and Rule Changes
In 1971, Ajax won the European Cup, defeating Panathinaikos in the final. The season also saw significant rule changes, including the introduction of penalty shootouts and modifications to the away goals rule. This year also marked the first time a Greek team reached the final and the first time Real Madrid failed to qualify.
1973: Ajax's Third Consecutive European Cup Win
Ajax achieved a historic three consecutive European Cup wins in 1973, cementing their status as one of the dominant teams of the era.
1974: Bayern Munich Begins Dominant Run
Bayern Munich began their own streak of three consecutive European Cup wins in 1974, following in the footsteps of Ajax.
1976: Bayern Munich's Third Consecutive European Cup Title
Bayern Munich secured their third consecutive European Cup title in 1976, equaling Ajax's record and solidifying their place as a European football powerhouse.
1977: Liverpool's First European Cup Victory
Liverpool won their first European Cup title in 1977, ushering in a period of English dominance in the competition.
1978: Liverpool's Second European Cup Victory
Liverpool won their second European Cup title in 1978, continuing their successful run in the competition.
1978: Nottingham Forest's First European Cup Win
Nottingham Forest, managed by Brian Clough, won their first European Cup in 1978.
1979: Nottingham Forest's Second Consecutive European Cup Victory
Nottingham Forest, under Brian Clough, achieved a historic feat by winning their second consecutive European Cup in 1979.
1982: Aston Villa's European Cup Victory
Aston Villa continued the streak of English success in the European Cup by winning the title in 1982, adding to the legacy of English clubs in the competition.
1982: Hamburger SV Breaks English Dominance
Hamburger SV ended the run of English victories in the European Cup by winning the title in 1982, bringing an end to a period of dominance by English clubs.
1983: Liverpool Reclaims European Cup Title
Liverpool regained the European Cup title in 1983, marking their return to the top of European football.
1984: Liverpool's Loss to Juventus in the European Cup
Liverpool lost to Juventus in the final of the 1984 European Cup, ending their reign as champions.
1985: Juventus's European Cup Victory and Heysel Disaster
Juventus won the European Cup in 1985. However, the final was overshadowed by the Heysel Stadium disaster, leading to the banning of all English clubs from European competitions for five years (Liverpool for six).
1986: Steaua București's European Cup Victory
Steaua București emerged victorious in the 1986 European Cup, adding their name to the list of champions amidst a period of diverse winners.
1987: FC Porto's European Cup Victory
FC Porto won the European Cup in 1987, further diversifying the range of winners in the competition during this era.
1991: Branding of the UEFA Champions League
In 1991, UEFA partnered with TEAM to develop a distinctive brand identity for the Champions League, which led to the creation of the anthem, a specific color scheme, a new logo, and the iconic "starball".
1991: Addition of Round-Robin Group Stage
In 1991, a round-robin group stage was added to the European Cup format.
1992: Multi-Sponsor Model for the Champions League
When the Champions League was established in 1992, a decision was made to allow up to eight companies to sponsor the event. Each sponsor received four pitch-side advertising boards, logo placements during interviews, and match tickets. This multi-sponsor approach, combined with prioritized television ad slots, ensured maximum brand visibility.
1992: Renaming to UEFA Champions League
In 1992, the competition was renamed to the UEFA Champions League.
1992: Creation of the UEFA Champions League Anthem
In 1992, UEFA commissioned Tony Britten to compose an anthem for the newly rebranded UEFA Champions League. The resulting piece, an adaptation of Handel's "Zadok the Priest", quickly became an iconic symbol of the competition.
1996: Sponsor Logo Restrictions and Adaptations
When a Champions League match occurs in a country with sponsorship restrictions, clubs are required to adjust their jersey sponsors accordingly. An example of this occurred in 1996 when Rangers replaced their usual McEwan's Lager logo with the Center Parcs logo due to alcohol advertising restrictions in France for their match against Auxerre.
1997: Multiple Entrants Allowed
Starting in the 1997-98 season, multiple entrants from certain countries were allowed in the UEFA Champions League.
1999: Starball Logo Achieves High Recognition
By 1999, the "starball" logo, a key element of the Champions League's branding, achieved a remarkable 94% recognition rate among fans, highlighting the successful branding efforts by UEFA and TEAM.
1999: No Differentiation Between Champions and Non-Champions
From 1999 to 2008, the UEFA Champions League qualification process did not differentiate between teams that were national champions and those that were not.
2005: Liverpool Granted Special Dispensation
In 2005, Liverpool, despite not finishing in a Champions League qualification spot in the Premier League, received special dispensation from UEFA to enter the tournament as defending champions, allowing England to have five qualifiers.
2005: First Teams to Reach Group Stage After Three Qualifying Rounds
In the 2005-06 season, Liverpool and Artmedia Bratislava achieved a notable feat by becoming the first teams to progress to the Champions League group stage after competing in all three qualifying rounds.
2007: UEFA Strategy Council Meeting
In 2007, UEFA president Michel Platini's proposal to allocate a Champions League spot to a nation's cup winner was rejected. However, the meeting resulted in a decision to grant automatic group stage qualification to third-placed teams from the top three leagues and a play-off spot to fourth-placed teams, guaranteeing them an opponent from a top 15 league. This aimed to increase both direct group stage qualifiers and representation from lower-ranked nations.
2008: UEFA Retains Permanent Trophy, Awards Replicas
Since 2008, UEFA has kept the official Champions League trophy, awarding replica trophies to winning clubs. This change ensures the historical trophy remains with UEFA.
2008: End of Undifferentiated Qualification Process
The year 2008 marked the end of the undifferentiated qualification process in the UEFA Champions League, as the competition reverted to separate qualifying paths for national champions and non-champions.
2009: Introduction of Two Qualification Streams
Starting in the 2009-10 season, the UEFA Champions League introduced two distinct qualification streams for teams not receiving direct entry. This change aimed to provide a more structured and competitive path for teams aspiring to reach the tournament's group stage.
2009: Andrea Bocelli Performs at Champions League Final in Rome
In 2009, Andrea Bocelli performed a special vocal version of the UEFA Champions League anthem in Italian at the final in Rome, marking the beginning of a tradition of vocal performances at the event.
2010: Juan Diego Flórez Performs in Madrid
Juan Diego Flórez performed a special vocal version of the UEFA Champions League anthem in Spanish at the final in Madrid in 2010, continuing the tradition of localized vocal performances.
2011: Tottenham Hotspur Misses Champions League Qualification Despite Fourth-Place Finish
In the 2011-12 season, Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the Premier League, ahead of Chelsea. However, Chelsea's victory in the 2012 Champions League final earned them automatic qualification for the following season, resulting in Tottenham being relegated to the Europa League.
2011: All Angels Perform at Wembley
The group All Angels performed a unique rendition of the UEFA Champions League anthem at the 2011 final held in Wembley Stadium, adding to the diverse range of performers at the event.
May 2012: Tottenham Hotspur Demoted to Europa League
In May 2012, Tottenham Hotspur, despite finishing fourth in the Premier League, was denied entry to the Champions League due to Chelsea winning the tournament and securing automatic qualification. This incident highlighted the rule prioritizing the defending champion, even if they finished outside domestic qualifying spots.
2012: "4th Place Trophy" Coined
In 2012, Arsène Wenger coined the phrase "4th Place Trophy" to describe the achievement of finishing in the top four of the English Premier League, which secured Champions League qualification. This occurred during a pre-match conference and at Arsenal's 2012 AGM, highlighting the significance of Champions League qualification for top clubs.
2012: Jonas Kaufmann and David Garrett Perform in Munich
In 2012, Jonas Kaufmann and David Garrett delivered a memorable performance of the UEFA Champions League anthem in Munich, showcasing their musical talents on this prestigious stage.
2012: Introduction of LED Advertising Hoardings
Starting from the knockout phase of the 2012–13 season, UEFA implemented LED advertising hoardings in stadiums hosting knockout matches, including the final.
2012: Introduction of 40 Gold and Silver Medals for Finalists
Starting in the 2012–13 season, 40 gold medals are awarded to the Champions League winners, and 40 silver medals are given to the runners-up. This change standardized the medal allocation for the final.
2012: Champions League Final: A Global Television Event
The Champions League final has consistently drawn a massive global television audience, becoming one of the most-watched annual sporting events worldwide. The 2012–13 final set a viewership record, attracting an estimated 360 million viewers.
May 2013: Europa League Winners Qualify for Champions League
In May 2013, UEFA decided to grant the winners of the previous season's Europa League automatic qualification for the Champions League, starting from the 2015-16 season. This decision aimed to elevate the status of the Europa League and provide an additional incentive for teams competing in the tournament.
2013: Double Chorus at Wembley Final
The 2013 Champions League final in Wembley featured a unique presentation of the anthem, with the chorus played twice.
2014: Mariza Performs in Lisbon
Mariza, a renowned fado singer, performed a captivating version of the UEFA Champions League anthem in Lisbon at the 2014 final, adding a Portuguese flavor to the event.
2015: Champions League Final Scheduling Trend
From 2015 onward, the Champions League final has been typically held in the last two weeks of May or early June, particularly in odd-numbered years. This trend reflects a preference for holding the final during this period.
2015: Expansion of LED Hoarding Usage
In the 2015–16 season, UEFA expanded the use of LED advertising hoardings, covering matches from the play-off round to the final.
2015: Increase in Maximum Entrants per Association
Starting in the 2015-16 season, UEFA increased the maximum number of entrants per association in the Champions League from four to five. This change provided additional opportunities for teams from top-ranked associations to participate in the competition.
2015: Implementation of Europa League Winners Qualification
Starting in the 2015-16 season, the rule granting Europa League winners automatic qualification for the Champions League came into effect. This change significantly impacted the qualifying dynamics and provided new opportunities for Europa League contenders.
2016: Andrea Bocelli Returns for Milan Final
Andrea Bocelli returned to perform at the Champions League final in 2016, delivering a stirring rendition of the anthem in his home country of Italy.
2017: Andrea Bocelli Performs in Cardiff
Andrea Bocelli once again graced the Champions League final with his presence in 2017, performing the anthem in Cardiff and solidifying his association with the prestigious event.
2017: Continuation of Europa League Winners Qualification
The rule ensuring Europa League winners qualify for the Champions League continued in the 2017-18 season, demonstrating UEFA's commitment to integrating the two competitions and providing a pathway for Europa League champions to compete at the highest level.
2018: 2Cellos Perform Instrumental Version in Kyiv
The 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv featured an instrumental version of the anthem performed by the cello duo 2Cellos, offering a different take on the familiar tune.
2019: Asturia Girls Perform Instrumental Version in Madrid
The Asturia Girls provided an instrumental performance of the UEFA Champions League anthem at the 2019 final in Madrid, continuing the trend of instrumental renditions.
2019: Market Pool Distribution in the Champions League
In the 2019-20 season, a substantial portion of the distributed revenue in the UEFA Champions League was tied to the "market pool," which allocates funds based on the value of each nation's television market. This system sometimes results in higher earnings for teams based on market value rather than tournament performance, as seen with Paris Saint-Germain (runners-up) earning more than Bayern Munich (winners) due to market pool distribution.
2019: Champions League Format Changes Due to COVID-19
In the 2019–20 season, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the Champions League, leading to a five-month suspension and format changes. The quarter-finals and semi-finals became single-match knockout ties at neutral venues in Lisbon, Portugal, with the final occurring on August 23, 2020.
2019: Bayern Munich's Undefeated Run
During the 2019-20 season, Bayern Munich became the only club to win all of their matches in a single tournament en route to winning the UEFA Champions League title.
2021: Fixed Prize Money Amounts for Participating Clubs
From the 2021–22 season onward, UEFA implemented a system of fixed prize money amounts for participating clubs in the Champions League.
2021: Introduction of the UEFA Europa Conference League
In 2021, the UEFA Europa Conference League was introduced as the third-tier competition for clubs that don't qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.
2021: Adoption of Virtual Board Replacement Technology
Since 2021, UEFA has used Virtual Board Replacement (VBR) technology for region-specific advertising. This allows regional sponsors to be displayed on hoardings in specific broadcast regions alongside global sponsors.
2021: Introduction of UEFA Champions League Player of the Season Award
Starting with the 2021–22 season, UEFA introduced the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award.
2023: Manchester City's First Title
Manchester City won their first UEFA Champions League title in 2023 after defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final.
2024: New Prize Money Distribution System
Beginning with the 2024–25 season, the Champions League will adopt a revised prize money distribution system.