“So here we go again. The draw for the 2026-27 Champions League takes place this evening, and although 36 clubs will comprise the third season of the new ‘Swiss League’ format — one giant table in which each side plays eight games — only a handful of them are genuine contenders to lift the trophy in Madrid next June. Can PSG win for a third successive year? Can Arsenal go one step further and become champions of Europe for the first time? Will Barcelona reach their first final since 2015? And how do we assess each side right now? This is The Athletic’s definitive — but also entirely subjective and, yes, extremely debatable — ranking of them all, from 36 to No 1. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)
W – 2026-27 Champions League