The Champions League is the premier competition in European football and winning it is the ultimate prize for the cream of the clubs across the continent.
Commonly known as the European Cup from its introduction in 1955 until it was rebranded in 1992, qualifying for the Champions League alone is an achievement – but winning it is the pinnacle of club football in Europe.
Here is all you need to know in our Champions League guide and betting odds for the 2023-24 campaign.
Who are the holders?
Rodri fired the winning goal as Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory and completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan.
The Spanish midfielder rifled home in the 68th minute as the Premier League winners wore down the Italians in a draining final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
It capped a momentous season for City having also won the FA Cup as well as a fifth Premier League title in six years.
Their success meant they also joined rivals Manchester United as the only sides to have won all three of those trophies in the same season.
It meant mission accomplished as well for owner Sheikh Mansour, who was present in Istanbul at only his second match since purchasing the club in 2008 and subsequently propelling them to the game’s top table.
Manager Pep Guardiola also celebrated Champions League success again 12 years after the second of his two wins as Barcelona boss.
Champions League round-of-16 draw
Porto vs Arsenal
Napoli vs Barcelona
PSG vs Real Sociedad
Inter Milan vs Atletico Madrid
PSV Eindhoven vs Borussia Dortmund
Lazio vs Bayern Munich
Copenhagen vs Manchester City
RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
Champions League round dates
Group stage – matchday 1: September 19/20 2023
Group stage – matchday 2: October 3/4 2023
Group stage – matchday 3: October 24/25 2023
Group stage – matchday 4: November 7/8 2023
Group stage – matchday 5: November 28/29 2023
Group stage – matchday 6: December 12/13 2023
Round of 16: 1st leg – February 13/14/20/21; 2nd leg – March 5/6/12/13 2024
Quarter-finals: 1st leg – April 9/10; 2nd leg – April 16/17 2024
Semi-finals: 1st leg – April 30/May 1; 2nd leg – May 7/8 2024
Final: June 1 2024
Champions League odds
2/1 Manchester City
4/1 Bayern Munich
11/2 Real Madrid
6/1 Arsenal
12/1 PSG
16/1 Barcelona
20/1 Inter Milan
25/1 Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund
50/1 Napoli, Real Sociedad
80/1 RB Leipzig
100/1 Porto
150/1 Lazio, PSV Eindhoven
500/1 Copenhagen
Past Champions League winners
1956: Real Madrid
1957: Real Madrid
1958: Real Madrid
1959: Real Madrid
1960: Real Madrid
1961: Benfica
1962: Benfica
1963: AC Milan
1964: Inter Milan
1965: Inter Milan
1966: Real Madrid
1967: Celtic
1968: Manchester United
1969: AC Milan
1970: Feyenoord
1971: Ajax
1972: Ajax
1973: Ajax
1974: Bayern Munich
1975: Bayern Munich
1976: Bayern Munich
1977: Liverpool
1978: Liverpool
1979: Nottingham Forest
1980: Nottingham Forest
1981: Liverpool
1982: Aston Villa
1983: Hamburg
1984: Liverpool
1985: Juventus
1986: Steaua Bucharest
1987: Porto
1988: PSV Eindhoven
1989: AC Milan
1990: AC Milan
1991: Red Star Belgrade
1992: Barcelona
1993: Marseille
1994: AC Milan
1995: Ajax
1996: Juventus
1997: Borussia Dortmund
1998: Real Madrid
1999: Manchester United
2000: Real Madrid
2001: Bayern Munich
2002: Real Madrid
2003: AC Milan
2004: Porto
2005: Liverpool
2006: Barcelona
2007: AC Milan
2008: Manchester United
2009: Barcelona
2010: Inter Milan
2011: Barcelona
2012: Chelsea
2013: Bayern Munich
2014: Real Madrid
2015: Barcelona
2016: Real Madrid
2017: Real Madrid
2018: Real Madrid
2019: Liverpool
2020: Bayern Munich
2021: Chelsea
2022: Real Madrid
2023: Manchester City
Champions League records
Most wins by team: Real Madrid (14)
Most wins by a manager: Carlo Ancelotti (4)
Most wins by a player: Paco Gento (6)
Most consecutive final appearances: 5 (Real Madrid, 1956-1960)
Most appearances by player: Cristiano Ronaldo (183)
Most goals by player: Cristiano Ronaldo (140)
Most hat-tricks: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (8)
Fastest goal: Roy Makaay (10.12 seconds, Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid, 2007)
Join bwin today and receive up to £20 money back as a FreeBet if your first wager (3+ selections at odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater) is a loser! Terms and conditions apply.
