Champions League Drama Unfolds: Who's Leading the Pack After Four Explosive Gameweeks?
The 2025–26 Champions League league phase has reached its halfway point, with all 36 teams pursuing European excellence now completing their fourth fixtures this week.
Just under four months since Paris Saint-Germain claimed their maiden Champions League trophy, a new edition of Europe's premier competition has commenced across the continent.
High-profile encounters are featuring prominently in this season's league phase. Title holders PSG have already met Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Liverpool and Real Madrid battled for the 10th occasion in recent years.
However, only 24 teams can progress from the league phase, making each encounter in the tournament's early rounds increasingly crucial. The battle to reach the knockout rounds will ultimately be decided by the final table after Matchday 8.
Here's the current position of all 36 teams in the Champions League league phase standings following Matchday 4.
2025–26 Champions League Table: League Phase Standings
Position | Team | Games Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bayern Munich | 4 | 12 |
2 | Arsenal | 4 | 12 |
3 | Inter | 4 | 12 |
4 | Manchester City | 4 | 10 |
5 | PSG | 4 | 9 |
6 | Newcastle United | 4 | 9 |
7 | Real Madrid | 4 | 9 |
8 | Liverpool | 4 | 9 |
9 | Galatasary | 4 | 9 |
10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | 8 |
11 | Barcelona | 4 | 7 |
12 | Chelsea | 4 | 7 |
13 | Sporting CP | 4 | 7 |
14 | Dortmund | 4 | 7 |
15 | Qarabağ | 4 | 7 |
16 | Atalanta | 4 | 7 |
17 | Atlético Madrid | 4 | 6 |
18 | PSV | 4 | 5 |
19 | Monaco | 4 | 5 |
20 | Pafos | 4 | 5 |
21 | Bayer Leverkusen | 4 | 5 |
22 | Club Brugge | 4 | 4 |
23 | Frankfurt | 4 | 4 |
24 | Napoli | 4 | 4 |
25 | Marseille | 4 | 3 |
26 | Juventus | 4 | 3 |
27 | Athletic Club | 4 | 3 |
28 | Union SG | 4 | 3 |
29 | Bodø/Glimt | 4 | 2 |
30 | Slavia Prague | 4 | 2 |
31 | Olympiacos | 4 | 2 |
32 | Villarreal | 4 | 1 |
33 | Copenhagen | 4 | 1 |
34 | FC Kairat | 4 | 1 |
35 | Benfica | 4 | 0 |
36 | Ajax | 4 | 0 |
When Does the 2025–26 Champions League League Phase Conclude?
The 2025–26 Champions League league phase concludes on Jan. 28. All 36 clubs will contest their final fixture on that Wednesday evening, with the outcomes determining the final standings before the knockout rounds.
The leading eight clubs at the conclusion of the league phase will directly qualify for the round of 16. The lowest 12 clubs will be knocked out of the tournament entirely.
The 16 clubs positioned ninth through 24th will participate in the knockout phase playoffs. The victors of each two-leg encounter will secure their places in the round of 16.
2025–26 Champions League Knockout Stage Schedule
Following the completion of the league phase, the tournament will pause briefly until mid-February. Then the knockout phase playoffs will commence, followed immediately by the knockout rounds.