- UEFA fixed September 2 for Champions League List A squad submissions.
- Clubs can register 25 players, including eight locally trained players.
- Champions League final will be played in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
UEFA has announced September 2, 2026, as the deadline for clubs to submit their List A squads ahead of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League league phase, which begins on September 8.
The European football governing body said all participating clubs must submit their List A squads by 11:59 p.m. CET on Wednesday, September 2. The squads will then be verified and approved by the clubs’ respective national football associations.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that under UEFA regulations, clubs can register a maximum of 25 players on List A, with at least two places reserved for goalkeepers.
UEFA also maintained its homegrown player requirement, stating that a minimum of eight places in the 25 man squad must be reserved for locally trained players.
According to the regulations, no more than four of the eight locally trained players can be association trained players.
“Clubs are entitled to register a maximum of 25 players on List A during the season, of whom at least two must be goalkeepers.
“As a minimum, eight of those 25 places are reserved exclusively for ‘locally trained players’ and no club may have more than four ‘association trained players’ listed among those eight places,” UEFA stated.
The governing body added that clubs unable to meet the eight player homegrown quota will have their maximum squad size reduced accordingly.
UEFA classifies locally trained players into two categories.
The first category comprises club trained players who have been registered with the same club for three full seasons, or 36 months, between the ages of 15 and 21.
The second category covers association trained players who have spent the same period registered with one or more clubs affiliated with the same national football association.
List B Registration
Unlike List A, UEFA allows clubs to register an unlimited number of eligible players on List B throughout the season.
List B can be updated at any time during the campaign, provided it is submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. CET on the day before a Champions League match.
A player qualifies for List B if he was born on or after January 1, 2005, and has been eligible to play for the club continuously for at least two years after turning 15.
Players who have spent three consecutive years with the club, including a maximum one year loan spell at another club under the same national association, are also eligible.
UEFA further stated that 16 year old players can qualify for List B if they have remained registered with the club continuously for the previous two years.
Rules on Player Eligibility
UEFA also confirmed that players who featured for another club during the qualifying rounds or play offs of the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League will still be eligible to represent a different club from the Champions League league phase.
“A player who has been fielded in the first, second or third qualifying round, or in the play offs of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League, is entitled to play in the UEFA Champions League for another club as from the league phase,” UEFA said.
Knockout Stage Changes
Clubs that qualify for the knockout stage will be allowed to register up to three new players before the deadline of 11:59 p.m. CET on February 4, 2027.
Those players may have represented another club during the qualifying rounds, play offs or league phase of any of UEFA’s three major club competitions.
However, clubs must still comply with the 25 player limit and the requirement to include eight locally trained players.
Injury Replacement Rules
UEFA also outlined provisions for replacing players suffering long term injuries or illnesses.
During the league phase and up to Matchday 6, clubs may temporarily replace one outfield player who is expected to be unavailable for at least 60 days. The replacement player must already have been registered with the club before the September 2 List A submission deadline.
Different rules apply to goalkeepers.
A goalkeeper sidelined for at least 30 days due to injury or illness can be replaced at any point during the season.
UEFA also permits goalkeeper replacements after Matchday 6 and before the end of the league phase if the player leaves the club on a permanent transfer.
The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League season will conclude with the final at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
