The 2026/27 EHF Champions League Men competition will mark a major shift in structure, with the group phase expanded to include 24 teams instead of the previous 16. This increase in participation brings more teams into the fold, as they will be split into six balanced groups, each containing four teams. Within these groups, every team will play home and away matches against each other, ensuring a competitive and fair setup. The top two teams from each group will advance to the main round, making for 12 teams in that stage, while the remaining teams will move to the EHF European League Men play-offs.
One of the most significant changes is the standardization of the number of matches played by all teams reaching the EHF FINAL4 Men. Under the new structure, every team competing at that final stage will have participated in exactly 18 matches during the entire season. This includes six matches in the group phase, eight in the main round, two in the quarter-finals, and two in the final four. Previously, there was inconsistency, as some teams could reach the EHF FINAL4 after only 18 matches, skipping certain rounds, while others had to go through additional play-offs, playing 20 matches in total. The updated format now ensures parity, with no variation in the number of games played by participating teams at the finals.
Schedule for the 2026/27 Season
The competition will kick off with the group phase, beginning on September 9, 2026, and ending on October 29. This phase serves as the foundation for the tournament, allowing teams to establish their footing and secure a spot in the next stage. Following that, the main round is scheduled from November 18, 2026, to March 4, 2027. During this stage, the 12 qualifying teams will be split into two groups of six, with each team playing eight matches against the others in their respective group, excluding any previous matches from the group phase. The quarter-finals are set for March 24 to April 1, 2027, with the most anticipated and high-stakes matches of the season. Finally, the EHF FINAL4 Men will take place on June 12-13, 2027, where the top four teams will compete for the championship.
The new format also streamlines the progression of teams through the competition. In the main round groups, the teams finishing first through fourth in both groups will qualify for the quarter-finals, while the fifth-ranked teams from each group will move to the EHF European League Men Last 16. Meanwhile, the teams that end up in last place in their main round groups will have their European season conclude. The EHF Champions League Men will retain the traditional quarter-finals and EHF FINAL4 structure, ensuring these key stages remain unchanged and familiar to fans and participants alike.