Who are the Favorites To Win the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League?

Fri, Jul 11, 2025
by CapperTek

It's been over a month since Paris Saint-Germain destroyed Inter Milan 5-0 to claim their maiden UEFA Champions League title in Munich, but a new European campaign has already kicked off. The qualifiers for the 2025/26 season have officially gotten the new continental season underway, with the likes of Swedish outfit Malmö and Armenian champions FC Noah capturing the headlines. But while those two would be simply happy to secure an invite to the most elite dining table in European football next term, the continent's heaviest hitters are gunning for glory.

So, with the 2025/26 campaign officially underway, who do the bookies think have a very real chance to leave Budapest next May with the famous big-eared trophy in tow? Let's take a look.

Paris Saint-Germain

There's only one place to start, and that's with the reigning champions. Paris Saint-Germain romped to the title last season, knocking off no fewer than four English Premier League teams before ultimately thumping Inter Milan in the Allianz Arena finale. They have followed up those exploits with a stellar campaign in the FIFA Club World Cup, and they could be set to add the moniker of World Champions to the European Champions that they already claim.

As such, it should be unsurprising to hear that online gambling sites make the Parisians the frontrunners to claim the Champions League title once again next term. The latest odds from the popular Bovada gambling site currently price Luis Enrique's men as the 5/1 favorites to reign supreme, and in recent form, that certainly seems like a fair price.

Unlike most of Europe's top clubs, PSG hasn't made a big-name signing so far this summer. Whether that will follow the culmination of their Club World Cup campaign remains to be seen, but one thing that is for certain is that they already possess plenty of firepower. Last year, the menacing attacking trident of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué was enough to secure the title, and even without any new additions, those three will certainly take some stopping.

Liverpool

Last season, the bookies had made Liverpool the favorites to win the title, primarily thanks to their phenomenal domestic exploits. The Reds romped to the Premier League title in rampant style last term, ultimately finishing ten points clear of runners-up Arsenal. However, the aforementioned Paris Saint-Germain ended their Champions League campaign with a thrilling Round of 16 penalty shootout victory at Anfield, and now, the Merseysiders will be looking for redemption.

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Arne Slot's side has been positioned as the 11/2 second favorite next term, and following several statement-making signings so far this summer, they will certainly be in contention. Florian Wirtz has arrived at Anfield for a British record of £116m, while his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong has also headed to Merseyside as a replacement for the Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold. Those recruits have certainly put the rest of the Premier League on notice, and the continent should also be wary.

Real Madrid

Record 15-time champions Real Madrid can never be written off. The Spanish giants seemingly always find a way to make a deep tournament run in the Champions League, and while last season's efforts may have come to a screeching halt at the hands of Arsenal, Los Blancos will certainly be contenders again next season.

Former midfielder Xabi Alonso has returned to the club as manager, replacing outgoing boss Carlo Ancelotti, and the new man at the helm is already stamping his imprint all over his side. He has led Real to the semifinals of the ongoing Club World Cup, and he has done so without the mercurial Kylian Mbappe, who has been sidelined with illness. In his place, youngster Gonzalo Garcia has shone up front, and there's a very real possibility the Los Blancos may have unearthed yet another young superstar.

The side from the Spanish capital has been made a 13/2 contender for a record-extending 16th title next season, and they will certainly be highly motivated. Last season, they were embarrassed by archrivals Barcelona domestically, before being thumped 5-1 by Arsenal in the Champions League. They simply have to bounce back, preferably in style.

Arsenal

For the first time in his six-year reign, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heads into a campaign under pressure. While the Spaniard has transformed The Gunners from a floundering mid-table side to a genuine contender for both domestic and continental honors, he remains without a trophy since winning the FA Cup six months into his reign. Three consecutive runners-up finishes in the Premier League have left the Arsenal faithful longing for a marquee trophy, while the success of Tottenham in last season's Europa League has also ramped up the pressure.

The good news is that the bookies certainly feel that Arsenal are contenders, not just at home but in the Champions League too. They have been made a 7/1 fourth favorite to claim the famous trophy for the first time in history next season, and they will be aiming to improve on last season's semifinal appearance. Prolific striker Viktor Gyökeres looks set to arrive from Sporting CP, and Arteta will be hoping that his super Swede can fire the goals required for a successful season.