The 2024-2025 Champions League brought a different format to the most prestigious club competition in football. PSG notched its first Champions League title in the new format’s inaugural season. Now, we’re gearing up for the 2025-2026 edition of UEFA Champions League: a season sure to be both action packed and dramatic.
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New Format, New Strategies, New Bets
Now that the teams have adapted to the new format, they’re expected to perform better. As a result, this has led to an increase in the number of bets placed in the competition. Bettors will be looking to take advantage of the increased number of games. And they’ll need to perform research on sports betting companies available in major soccer betting markets like Spain, Italy, Germany, the UK or the USA to determine which sites offer the best odds, promotions and player perks.
2025-2026 Champions League Betting Sites & Promo Codes
SportsBetting3.com highly recommends the following US soccer betting sites and promotions for the upcoming season. Each one is licensed and legal in the various states they serve. Best of all, all new customers are eligible for a welcome bonus upon signup and first deposit:
- BetRivers Sportsbook Promo Code – Offers a full slate of European soccer betting odds, including the Champions league. New customers are advised to take BetRivers’ match play or bet and get promotion.
- Borgata Sportsbook Promo Code – One the finest and oldest New Jersey casino and sports betting establishments, the Borgata has you covered for soccer betting this season, with odds for all MLS, Mexican, Euro club and international competitions.
- BetMGM Sportsbook Promo Code – Whether you’re betting on Man City, Barca, or Inter Milan, look to BetMGM’s full-service sportsbook for soccer betting this season, including competitive Champions League futures odds and single-game betting options.
2025-2026 Champions League Favorites
Heading into this season, many are wondering, “Who will win the big cup in 2026”? Let’s review some of the favorites to win the 2025-2026 Champions League.
Real Madrid
The first name that comes to mind when reviewing Champions League futures odds is the Spanish giant, Real Madrid. Having won the competition a record 15 times, Real Madrid always enters as the team to beat. They have a balance of experienced players that have won multiple times, along with some young and talented players that are hungry to win.
Whether they are the reigning champions or not, their ability to perform on the biggest stage is second to non. Most importantly, the 2025-2026 team has the depth to navigate the grueling league phase and knockout stages. Both the pundits and early betting odds reflect this, making them firm favorites to win the league.
As Carlo Ancelotti – Real Madrid’s manager – told an Italian newspaper in 2024:
“Tell them anything, but the most important thing is that Real Madrid will be in the Champions League final in Munich.”
Of course they didn’t make it to the finals, but it showed the confidence Real Madrid has going into any Champions League season.
Manchester City, FC Bayern Munich
Also on the radar are the heavyweights of the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are serial Premier League winners and remain a favorite, having last won the Champions league in 2023.
Similarly, FC Bayern Munich is a team that can never be discounted. The German giants possess a winning mentality that makes them a threat in any fixture.
If you want a safe bet, Real Madrid, Man City and Bayern Munich are all worth a look. It would be a surprise if none of them made it to the semi-finals.
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Hidden Contenders and Underdogs
Beyond the top three, there are various other potential contenders:
- Arsenal – After their strong showing last season, Arsenal will be eager to go even further in the competition and get to the finals.
- Liverpool – Always a dangerous opponent, especially at when playing at Anfield, its home field.
- Chelsea – We also can’t forget Chelsea, current Club World Cup Champions and a team with a proven Champions League pedigree.
- PSG – The Red and Blue won their first ever Champions League title last season with a comfortable 4-1 win over Inter-Milan in the finals. They will be looking to join the prestigious club of teams that have won it back to back this season.
- Barcelona – Barca is on a path of resurgence. The Catalan based team has enough depth to make a deep run. A good performance in their domestic league could provide the momentum Barcelona needs.
- Inter Milan – We must also keep an eye on Italian clubs like Inter Milan. After recent strong campaigns, Inter Milan has proven they can compete with the best.
As PSG coach Luis Enrique said after their historic 2025 victory:
“We want to win two champions league in a row…..it’s very difficult to see a team win two Champions League in a row.”
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Expectations for the 2025-2026 Champions League Season
The 2025-2026 Champions League is expected to be one of the most demanding yet. The league phase format – which sees teams play more matches – leaves little room for error. It will test each club’s depth. They must be on their toes for all 8 matches, ensuring that the best teams advance.
The journey to the quarterfinals and beyond will be brutal. Fans can expect high-stakes encounters from the start of the league. Every point will matter in order to secure a favorable position heading into the round of 16. Clubs will also want to avoid the playoffs tournament as much as possible, allowing their players to rest before the round of 16.
Reviewing the Odds
When it comes to the Champions League odds, early numbers from most soccer betting sites tell a familiar story, allowing some room for value bets.
As of now, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have the best odds to win the league. The early odds favor these usual suspects, making a bet on them a relatively safe futures wager.
However, the value might lie with the dark horses and overlooked underdogs. The odds for teams like Arsenal and Liverpool are longer, presenting a potentially higher payout. For those looking to bet on soccer, these teams offer a compelling opportunity for a winning value bet.
For English clubs, the grueling race for the Premier League title can impact their European form; something to consider before placing a bet. A team like PSG also has tempting odds, especially if you think they can win a second title in a row.
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Looking Ahead
Predicting an outright winner in September can be tough, but several scenarios seem plausible.
A final featuring two of the top favorites is a strong possibility, though it would be a tough challenge for any team to win back-to-back trophies, unless you’re Real Madrid.
It’s also not out of the question to see Arsenal getting to their second ever Champions League final since 2006. Building on their existing momentum, the London club could make their leap to the biggest stage.
In the end, the road to the 2026 final will be long and unpredictable.
Will Real Madrid make it to the round of 16 with the help of Kylian Mbappe and Trent? Or, will Arsenal finally win their first Champions League trophy?
One thing is certain: the UEFA Champions League will once again entertain every football fan and bettors, and whoever wins will be a worthy champion.