The five favourites to win the 2025/26 Champions League | OneFootball

The UEFA Champions League returns this evening as Europe’s premier club competition gets underway for the new campaign.

Paris Saint-Germain conquered Europe for the first time last season, thrashing Inter Milan in a record-breaking final. Will the French side retain their title? Or could we see a new name etched onto the trophy?

We’ve ranked the bookmakers’ five favourites to win the 2025/26 Champions League.

Real Madrid – 8/1

Perennial contenders, no side has won this trophy on more occasions than the 15-time winners. Real Madrid endured a disappointing quarter-final exit to Arsenal last season but begin a new era under Xabi Alonso in 2025/26.

The additions of Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Franco Mastantuono have added freshness to the squad, while Kylian Mbappe has started the season in electric form after last season’s European Golden Shoe.

Getting Vinicius Junior back to his best level will be crucial to the Spanish side’s hopes.

Arsenal – 7/1

Of the sides to have never previously won the competition, Arsenal are the most-fancied to claim a maiden Champions League crown.

The Gunners have impressed since returning to this stage after a six-season absence, reaching the semi-finals last season before defeat to eventual winners PSG.

Mikel Arteta has built one of the best defensive units in Europe, while their set-piece threat adds another weapon to their armoury.

Viktor Gyokeres, who has six goals in eight career Champions League appearances, has been brought in to be a difference-maker in the final third.

Paris Saint-Germain – 13/2

Despite cantering to the Champions League last season, Paris Saint-Germain are currently ranked as only third-favourites. Only Real Madrid have ever gone back-to-back in the Champions League era, emphasising the size of the task facing PSG.

But Luis Enrique’s side were brilliant during last season’s triumph, including that record-breaking 5-0 final win over Inter.

The core of their side, including Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, João Neves, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, are all at an age where their performances can continue to improve. That will be a scary thought for opposition sides.

Barcelona – 6/1

Barcelona came agonisingly close to last season’s final following a dramatic defeat to Inter Milan in the semi-finals.

The Catalans had cruised into the last four before a pulsating end-to-end tie ended in defeat.

Hansi Flick’s side will have learned lessons from that loss and boast one of the most exciting forward lines in world football. It’s been over a decade since their last win in this competition.

Liverpool – 6/1

Liverpool start the campaign as joint-favourites alongside Barcelona.

Arne Slot’s side secured Premier League title success last season and were within penalty kicks of eliminating eventual champions PSG in last season’s competition.

In the summer, the Reds twice broke the British transfer record to land Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, in a statement window in the transfer market.

Slot’s side has undergone surgery this summer, but the potential is clear. A seventh European Cup is a realistic ambition for the Reds in 2026.

Read – Champions League talking points ahead of matchday one

See more – Arteta wants to change Arsenal history with Champions League win

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