Champions League 2026/27: UEFA sets September 2 squad deadline

UEFA has set 23:59 CET on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as the deadline for clubs to submit their List A squads for the 2026/27 Champions League league phase. The lists must also be checked and approved by the clubs’ respective national associations.

Each club can name a maximum of 25 players on List A during the season. At least two of those places must be occupied by goalkeepers, placing a clear limit on how clubs structure their squads for the competition.

The registration rules also require clubs to account for locally trained players. A minimum of eight places within the 25-player limit are reserved for that category, although no more than four of those eight places can be occupied by association-trained players.

The locally trained-player requirement forms part of the squad submission process, rather than being a separate condition after registration. Clubs must meet the quota when they send their List A squads for validation.

UEFA will reduce the maximum number of players a club can register if it has fewer than eight eligible locally trained players. A team that cannot fill the reserved places therefore cannot replace them with additional players from other categories.

The September 2 deadline applies before the league phase of the 2026/27 Champions League. Clubs must submit their lists in time for the required review and validation by their associations, while staying within both the overall squad limit and the locally trained-player rules.