EHF Champions League 2026/27 Introduces 24 Teams Across Six Groups
The 2026/27 EHF Champions League introduces a restructured format featuring 24 teams split into six groups of four. Under the updated schedule, clubs play home-and-away fixtures within their groups from September through October 2026. The two best-placed teams from each of the six preliminary groups advance directly to the main round. Meanwhile, sides finishing third and fourth drop down into the EHF European League playoffs.
Magdeburg and Barcelona Lead Early Title Contenders
FC Barcelona and the SC Magdeburg have dominated the EHF Champions League since 2021, capturing all titles in that span with four championships for the Catalan club and two for Magdeburg. Bookmakers and analysts list both powerhouses among the main favorites for the 2026/27 crown. Following a pattern of alternating titles that saw Magdeburg lift the trophy in 2023 and 2025, the reigning German champions aim to continue that sequence. Additional contenders in the outright betting markets include Veszprem from Hungary, Aalborg from Denmark, and fellow German side Füchse Berlin, while French clubs Nantes and Paris Saint-Germain enter the tournament as outsiders.
Preliminary Round Runs from September to October 2026
The preliminary round runs from September 9 to October 29, 2026, establishing the initial standings across the six four-team groups.
Main Round Leads to Final Four in Cologne
Main round fixtures take place from November 18, 2026, to March 4, 2027, carrying forward points earned during the group stage across two combined groups. Group I comprises qualifiers from preliminary groups A, B, and C, while Group II consists of teams from groups D, E, and F over an eight-matchday schedule. The top four sides from each main-round group progress to the two-legged quarterfinals scheduled between March 24 and April 1, 2027. Surviving clubs advance to the Final Four tournament at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, where the champion is crowned on June 12 and 13, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026/27 Tournament
How many teams compete in the group stage of the 2026/27 EHF Champions League?
A total of 24 clubs compete in the preliminary group stage, divided evenly into six groups of four teams.
When and where is the 2027 EHF Champions League Final Four taking place?
The decisive Final Four weekend is scheduled for June 12 and 13, 2027, at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.
Which clubs won the EHF Champions League in the seasons leading up to 2027?
Since 2021, only FC Barcelona and SC Magdeburg have won the title, with Barcelona securing four championships and Magdeburg taking two titles.