The Champions League showcases the best teams in world soccer and earns UEFA billions in prize money from broadcast and sponsorship deals. The trophy is coveted by clubs across the globe, and many of the sport’s greatest players have lifted it. Here’s every club to win the tournament, from Real Madrid’s seven consecutive triumphs to Johan Cruyff’s three-straight successes with Ajax.
The first edition of the Champions League was held in 1955-56. It was conceived by Gabriel Hanot, editor of the French sports magazine L’Equipe. The tournament was a knockout from the start and featured only champions of different European domestic leagues. At the time, 16 clubs participated. Real Madrid dominated in the early days, winning the first five editions of the competition with stars like Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.
From 2024-25 the competition has been revamped with a league phase and a larger field of 36 teams. The league system replaces the previous group stage and sees each team play eight games against a number of opponents through January. The top eight teams advance to the last 16 round, and normal two-legged knockout rules apply from this point on.
The other six teams contest a play-off round, which is similar to the qualifying play-off round that precedes the group stages for some UEFA competitions. If the teams are level after two legs, the tie is broken on away goals scored. If they are still tied after extra time, the match goes to penalties.