UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is an annual continental club football competition

organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested
by top-division European clubs. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the
world and the most prestigious club competition in European football, played by the
national league champion (and, for some nations, one or more runners-up) of each
UEFA national association. The UEFA Champions League final is the most watched
annual sporting event worldwide. The final of the 201213 tournament had the
highest TV ratings to date, drawing 360 million television viewers.[1]

Introduced in 1992, the competition replaced the European Champion Clubs' Cup,
or simply European Cup, which had run since 1955, adding a group stage to the
competition and allowing multiple entrants from certain countries. [2] The pre-1992
competition was initially a straight knockout tournament open only to the champion
club of each country. During the 1990s, the format was expanded, incorporating a
round-robin group stage to include clubs that finished runner-up of some nations' top-
level league.[2] While most of Europe's national leagues can still only enter their
national league champion, Europe's strongest national leagues now provide up to
four teams for the competition,[3] and will provide up to five teams from the 201516
season onwards.[4] Clubs that finish next-in-line in each nation's top level league,
having not qualified for the UEFA Champions League competition, may be eligible for
the next level UEFA Europa League competition.

In its present format, the UEFA Champions League begins in mid-July with three
knockout qualifying rounds and a play-off round. The 10 surviving teams enter the
group stage, joining 22 other teams qualified in advance. The 32 teams are drawn
into eight groups of four teams and play each other in a double round-robin system.
The eight group winners and eight runners-up proceed to the knockout phase that
culminates with the final match in May.[5] The winner of the UEFA Champions League
qualifies for the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[6][7]

Real Madrid is the most successful club in the competition's history, having won the
tournament 11 times, including its first five seasons. Spanish clubs have accumulated
the highest number of victories (16 wins), followed by England and Italy (12 wins
apiece). The competition has been won by 22 different clubs, 12 of which have won it
more than once.[8] Since the tournament changed name and structure in 1992, no
club has managed consecutive wins; Milan were the last holders to successfully
defend their title, in the 198990 season. [9] The reigning champions are Real Madrid,
who secured their eleventh title in the competition after defeating Atltico Madrid on
penalties following a 11 draw in the 2016 final.
 UEFA Champions League

Founded 1955; 62 years ago

(rebranded in 1992)

Region Europe (UEFA)

Number of teams 32 (group stage)

78 or 79 (total)

Related competitions UEFA Europa League

UEFA Super Cup

FIFA Club World Cup

Current champions Real Madrid

(11th title)

Most successful club(s) Real Madrid

(11 titles)