2025/26 UEFA Youth League calendar, format

The UEFA Youth League reaches its 12th edition in 2025/26.

The contenders are split into two paths in the autumn, the UEFA Champions League path and the domestic champions path – both now expanded from the previous format. They come together for the knockout phase, running from the round of 32 on 3 and 4 February to the traditional four-team final tournament at Colovray Sports Centre in Nyon between 17 and 20 April

Qualification

The UEFA Champions League path will include the 36 youth teams of the clubs which qualify for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League (Champions League path).

The domestic champions path includes the domestic youth champions of all UEFA member associations.

If a club qualify for both the Champions League path and the domestic champions path, they automatically participate in the Champions League path and the vacancy in the domestic path is, in principle, filled by the runners-up of the same association. In case the runners-up also qualify via the Champions League path, the vacancy is not filled.

The Youth League holders automatically qualify for the domestic champions path second round unless they qualify for the Champions League path.

Initial stages

The league phase mirrors the Champions League 'league phase' but limited to the first six matchdays, with the same matches played in both competitions (three at home and three away). The top 22 clubs will qualify for the round of 32.

The domestic champions path consists of three rounds played under the cup (knockout) system with two-legged ties (home and away matches). The holders (if involved in this path) and the clubs of the top-ranked associations will enter in the second round (exact numbers depending on the level of entries). At the end of the third round, ten clubs will qualify for the round of 32.

Knockouts & final four

A single knockout phase will be played with one-leg ties starting with the round of 32. The clubs ranked 1 to 6 (Champions League path) will play against the clubs ranked 17 to 22. The clubs ranked 7 to 16 will face the ten clubs that qualify via the domestic champions path.

A further open draw will be held for the round of 16 onwards.

The tournament will, as before, conclude with a final four (semi-finals and final) played at Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon, Switzerland.

Draw and match dates

UEFA Champions League path: League phase
Draw: 28 August, Monaco
Matchday 1: 16/17/18 September
Matchday 2: 30 September/1 October
Matchday 3: 21/22 October
Matchday 4: 4/5 November
Matchday 5: 25/26 November
Matchday 6: 9/10 December

Domestic champions path
Draw: 1 September, Nyon
First round first leg: 17 September
First round second leg: 1 October
Second round first leg: 22 October
Second round second leg: 5 November
Third round first leg: 26 November
Third round second leg: 10 December

Knockout phase
Round of 32 draw: 12 December, Nyon
Round of 32: 3/4 February
Knockout draw (round of 16 onwards): 6 February, Nyon
Round of 16: 24/25 February
Quarter-finals: 17/18 March
Semi-finals: 17 April (Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon)
Final: 20 April (Colovray Sports Centre, Nyon)