Six Premier League clubs participated in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, a record for England. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur all featured in the league phase. Five of these clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Manchester City – directly progressed to the Round of 16 after strong group stage performances. Newcastle United qualified for the knockout phase playoffs.
This increased English representation stems from UEFA's expanded 36-team format and a performance-based system, which rewarded England's strong country coefficient from the previous season. Tottenham Hotspur also secured a spot by winning the Europa League. English clubs continue to leverage significant financial power, with Champions League participation offering substantial prize money, such as an estimated £84m for Manchester City and Liverpool from the league phase alone. This financial strength, combined with strategic recruitment and enhanced tactical approaches, has allowed English sides to excel in Europe.
