UEFA Youth League 2026/27

The UEFA Youth League is an annual under-19 football tournament organised by the Confederation of European Football Associations (UEFA). Established in 2013, the competition replaced the private NextGen Series and became a permanent fixture during the 2015–16 season. It operates as a developmental parallel to the senior UEFA Champions League, providing a continental stage for youth teams whose senior squads participate in Europe’s premier club competition.

Since the 2024–25 format, the main league phase features 36 teams. This field comprises 32 clubs from the Champions League Path, which includes the youth squads of senior UCL group stage participants, and 10 teams from the Domestic Champions Path, consisting of youth champions from top UEFA associations not represented in the Champions League Path. Each team plays six matches in the league phase. The top 22 teams from the Champions League Path advance to the knockout stage, where they are joined by 10 winners of qualification playoffs from the Domestic Champions Path.

From the Round of 32 onwards, the competition is decided in single-leg ties. The semi-finals and final are held at neutral venues, typically in Nyon, Switzerland. Qualification for the tournament is derived solely from senior team performance or domestic youth titles, with no system of promotion or relegation to the senior Champions League. Barcelona holds the record for the most titles with three victories, while Chelsea and Real Madrid have each won two. The reigning champion is Barcelona, who secured the 2024–25 title.