UEFA · Continental Tier 1
Champions League
In US-sports termsThe Super Bowl of club soccer — except it's a months-long bracket across the entire continent, and you earn your spot by how you finished back home.
What it is
The biggest club competition in the world. 36 teams, single giant league phase (8 games each — the old group stage died in 2024), then top 8 straight to the Round of 16, places 9–24 fight through a playoff, then pure knockout to the June final.
How you get in
League finish in your domestic league. Strong nations (England, Spain, Italy, Germany) send 4–5; mid nations send 1–2; small nations' champions grind through summer qualifying rounds just to reach the league phase.
What it feeds
Winner: UEFA Super Cup, a FIFA Club World Cup berth, automatic Champions League entry next season, and eternal glory. This is the trophy every wire on this map ultimately points toward.
No mid-season dropdown to the Europa League anymore — under the new format, if you're out, you're out.