2020–21 UEFA Champions League#Third qualifying round

A total of 79 teams from 54 of the 55 UEFA member associations participate in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League (the exception being Liechtenstein, which does not organise a domestic league). The association ranking based on the UEFA country coefficients is used to determine the number of participating teams for each association:{{cite web|url=https://documents.uefa.com/reader/doYQqERk_RY8cYz72urIkw/root|title=Regulations of the UEFA Champions League, 2020/21|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=24 September 2020}}

• Associations 1–4 each have four teams qualify.
• Associations 5–6 each have three teams qualify.
• Associations 7–15 each have two teams qualify.
• Associations 16–55 (except Liechtenstein) each have one team qualify.
• The winners of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League and 2019–20 UEFA Europa League are each given an additional entry if they do not qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League through their domestic leagues. However, the Champions League and Europa League title holders have qualified through their domestic leagues, meaning the two additional entries are not necessary for this season.

For the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League, the associations are allocated places according to their 2019 UEFA country coefficients, which takes into account their performance in European competitions from 2014–15 to 2018–19.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/uefarankings/country/#/yr/2019 |title=Country coefficients 2018/19 |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=3 June 2019 |access-date=5 June 2019}}

Apart from the allocation based on the country coefficients, associations may have additional teams participating in the Champions League, as noted below:

• {{small|(UCL)}} – Additional berth for UEFA Champions League title holders
• {{small|(UEL)}} – Additional berth for UEFA Europa League title holders

|

|

|}

The following is the access list for this season.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0242-0e16a85014cb-5ffe48223b95-1000--champions-league-and-europa-league-changes-next-season/ |title=Champions League and Europa League changes next season |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=27 February 2018 |access-date=27 February 2018}}

Changes were made to the default access list since the Champions League title holders, Bayern Munich, and the Europa League title holders, Sevilla, which were guaranteed berths in the Champions League group stage, already qualified for the Champions League group stage via their domestic leagues. However, as a result of schedule delays to both the 2019–20 and 2020–21 European seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 European season started before the conclusion of the 2019–20 European season. Therefore, the changes to the access list that should be made based on the Champions League and Europa League title holders could not be certain until matches of the earlier qualifying rounds had been played and/or their draws had been made. UEFA used "adaptive re-balancing" to change the access list once the berths for the Champions League and Europa League title holders were determined, and rounds which had already been drawn or played by the time the title holders were determined would not be impacted (Regulations Article 3.04). The following changes were made:

• At the time when the draws for the first qualifying round and second qualifying round (Champions Path) were held on 9 and 10 August 2020, it was not certain whether the Champions League title holder berth would be vacated as one of the eight quarter-finalists of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, Lyon, did not qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage via their domestic league. Therefore, these draws proceeded as normal per the default access list, and the matches drawn, which were played on 18–19 and 25–26 August 2020, were not changed even though after the semi-finals of the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, which were played on 18–19 August 2020, it was confirmed both finalists, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, already qualified for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage via their domestic leagues, meaning the Champions League title holder berth would be vacated. As a result, "adaptive re-balancing" started from the third qualifying round (Champions Path), whose draw was held on 31 August 2020, and the following changes to the access list were made:
• The champions of association 11 (Netherlands), Ajax, entered the group stage instead of the play-off round (Champions Path).
• The champions of associations 13 and 14 (Czech Republic and Greece), Slavia Prague and Olympiacos, entered the play-off round (Champions Path) instead of the third qualifying round (Champions Path).
• At the time when the draw for the second qualifying round (League Path) was held on 10 August 2020, it was not certain whether the Europa League title holder berth would be vacated as four of the quarter-finalists of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bayer Leverkusen, Copenhagen and Basel, did not qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage via their domestic leagues. Therefore, this draw proceeded as normal per the default access list, and the matches drawn, which were played on 25–26 August 2020, were not changed even though after the quarter-finals of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, which were played on 10–11 August 2020, it was confirmed all four semi-finalists, Sevilla, Manchester United, Internazionale and Shakhtar Donetsk, already qualified for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage via their domestic leagues, meaning the Europa League title holder berth would be vacated. As a result, "adaptive re-balancing" started from the third qualifying round (League Path), whose draw was held on 31 August 2020, and the following changes to the access list were made:
• The third-placed team of association 5 (France), Rennes, entered the group stage instead of the third qualifying round (League Path).
• The third-placed team of association 6 (Russia), Krasnodar, entered the play-off round (League Path) instead of the third qualifying round (League Path).

In early April 2020, UEFA announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the deadline for entering the tournament had been postponed until further notice.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025c-0f8e7709fa03-24e48cfc2cb3-1000--uefa-postpones-all-june-national-team-matches/|title=UEFA postpones all June national team matches|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=1 April 2020}} UEFA also sent a letter to all member associations that domestic leagues must be completed in full without ending prematurely in order to qualify for European competitions.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/03/clubs-risk-champions-league-exclusion-if-seasons-abandoned-prematurely-uefa|title=Clubs risk Champions League exclusion if seasons abandoned prematurely|work=The Guardian|date=3 April 2020}} After meeting with the 55 UEFA associations on 21 April 2020, UEFA strongly recommended them to finish domestic top league and cup competitions, although in some special cases where it is not possible, UEFA would develop guidelines concerning participation in its club competitions in case of a cancelled league or cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025c-0f8e77e602eb-a88e3e7c26b5-1000--uefa-updates-national-associations-ahead-of-executive-co/|title=UEFA meets National Associations for update on ongoing works|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=21 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52372673|title=Uefa says some leagues could be cancelled 'in special cases'|work=BBC Sport|date=21 April 2020}} After the UEFA Executive Committee meeting on 23 April 2020, UEFA announced that if a domestic competition is prematurely terminated for legitimate reasons in accordance with conditions related to public health or economic problems, the national associations concerned are required to select their participating teams for the 2020–21 UEFA club competitions based on sporting merit in the 2019–20 domestic competitions, and UEFA reserves the right to refuse their admission if UEFA deems the termination of the competitions not legitimate, or the selection procedure not objective, transparent and non-discriminatory, or the team is perceived by the public as qualifying unfairly. A suspended domestic competition may also be restarted with a different format from the original one in a manner which would still facilitate qualification on sporting merit.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025c-0f8e77ff99c2-6827588aa119-1000--executive-committee-approves-guidelines-on-eligibility-for/|title=Executive Committee approves guidelines on eligibility for participation to UEFA competitions|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=23 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52399043|title=Uefa keen on sporting merit qualification method for European competitions|work=BBC Sport|date=23 April 2020}} All leagues should communicate to UEFA by 25 May 2020 whether they intend to restart their competitions,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52456304|title=Uefa asks European Leagues for decision on domestic seasons by 25 May|work=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2020}} but this deadline was later extended. On 17 June 2020, UEFA announced that associations must enter their teams by 3 August 2020.

The labels in the parentheses show how each team qualified for the place of its starting round:

• TH: Champions League title holders
• EL: Europa League title holders
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.: League positions of the previous season
• Abd-: League positions of abandoned season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe as determined by the national association; all teams are subject to approval by UEFA as per the guidelines for entry to European competitions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/uefaorg/General/02/64/17/45/2641745_DOWNLOAD.pdf|title=Guidelines on eligibility principles for 2020/21 UEFA Club Competitions – COVID 19|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=23 April 2020}}

The second qualifying round, third qualifying round and play-off round are divided into Champions Path (CH) and League Path (LP).

Notes

{{Cnote2 Begin|liststyle=disc}}

{{Cnote2|Note AZE|Azerbaijan (AZE): The 2019–20 Azerbaijan Premier League was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Qarabağ (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.affa.az/index.php/news/craiyy-komitsinin-iclas-keirilib/66567|title=İcraiyyə Komitəsinin iclası keçirilib|publisher=Azərbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası|date=18 June 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note BEL|Belgium (BEL): The 2019–20 Belgian First Division A was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium. The top two teams of the league at the time of the abandonment, Club Brugge (who were declared champions) and Gent, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Royal Belgian Football Association, entering the group stage and third qualifying round respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport.be/fr/jupilerproleague/nieuws/article.html?Article_ID=884824|title=Communication à la suite de l'Assemblée Générale|publisher=Jupiler Pro League|date=15 May 2020|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=12 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200912170651/https://www.sport.be/fr/jupilerproleague/nieuws/article.html?Article_ID=884824|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note BIH|Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH): The 2019–20 Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Sarajevo (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfsbih.ba/vijesti/odrzana-51-sjednica-io-ns-fs-bih/|title=ODRŽANA 51.SJEDNICA IO NS/FS BiH|publisher=Nogometni/Fudbalski savez Bosne i Hercegovine|date=1 June 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note CYP|Cyprus (CYP): The 2019–20 Cypriot First Division was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Omonia, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Cyprus Football Association, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfa.com.cy/Gr/news/39843|title=Δ.Σ. ΚΟΠ: Απόφαση για διακοπή του Πρωταθλήματος Cyta και του Κυπέλλου Coca - Cola|publisher=Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Ποδοσφαίρου|date=15 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note ENG|England (ENG): Manchester City, the second-placed team of the 2019–20 Premier League, qualified for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage, but were banned from all UEFA club competitions for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body on 14 February 2020 due to alleged breaches of the UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025a-0f8e7535cab3-07272066f9f6-1000--club-financial-control-body-adjudicatory-chamber-decision-on/ |title=Club Financial Control Body Adjudicatory Chamber decision on Manchester City Football Club |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=14 February 2020 |access-date=14 February 2020}} However, Manchester City appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,{{cite news |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/club-news/club-news/2020/february/manchester-city-club-statement |title=Club statement |website=Manchester City F.C. |date=14 February 2020 |access-date=14 February 2020}} and on 13 July 2020, it was announced that the ban on them participating in UEFA club competitions was overturned and they can play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League.{{cite web|url=https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_6785_Decision.pdf|title=13.07.2020 - Decision in the arbitration procedure between Manchester City FC & UEFA|publisher=Court of Arbitration for Sport|date=13 July 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note FRA|France (FRA): The 2019–20 Ligue 1 was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in France. The top three teams of the league at the time of the abandonment based on the average number of points per matches played for each team, Paris Saint-Germain (who were declared champions), Marseille and Rennes, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the French Football Federation, entering the group stage.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/NEWS/2020/04/30/psg-champions-season-ended-ligue-1|title=PSG champions as season ended|publisher=Ligue 1|date=30 April 2020|access-date=30 April 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note GIB|Gibraltar (GIB): The 2019–20 Gibraltar National League was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Gibraltar. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Europa, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Gibraltar Football Association, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.gibraltarfa.com/news/domestic-football-season-terminated-177|title=Domestic Football Season Terminated.|publisher=Gibraltar Football Association|date=1 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note LUX|Luxembourg (LUX): The 2019–20 Luxembourg National Division was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Luxembourg. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Fola Esch, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Luxembourg Football Federation, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=http://flf.lu/La-FLF/Actualites/Informations-aux-clubs-de-la-FLF-%E2%80%93-crise-du-CO-(1).aspx|title=Informations aux clubs de la FLF – crise du CORONA COVID-19 Décisions du Conseil d'Administration|publisher=Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football|date=28 April 2020|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=28 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428205137/http://www.flf.lu/La-FLF/Actualites/Informations-aux-clubs-de-la-FLF-%E2%80%93-crise-du-CO-(1).aspx|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note MLT|Malta (MLT): The 2019–20 Maltese Premier League was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malta. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Floriana (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Malta Football Association, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.mfa.com.mt/en/news/news/4391/malta-football-association-council--statement.htm|title=Malta Football Association Council – Statement|publisher=Malta Football Association|date=25 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note MNE|Montenegro (MNE): The 2019–20 Montenegrin First League was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Budućnost Podgorica (who were already assured of the title by then and were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Football Association of Montenegro, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://fscg.me/vijesti/7577/saopstenje-izvrsnog-odbora-07072020/|title=Saopštenje Izvršnog odbora - 07.07.2020.|publisher=Fudbalski savez Crne Gore|date=7 July 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note NED|Netherlands (NED): The 2019–20 Eredivisie was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. The top two teams of the league at the time of the abandonment, Ajax and AZ, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Royal Dutch Football Association, entering the group stage and second qualifying round respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.knvb.nl/nieuws/betaald-voetbal/competitiezaken/59905/afwikkeling-voetbalseizoen-2019%E2%80%9920-een-feit|title=Afwikkeling voetbalseizoen 2019/'20 een feit|publisher=Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond|date=22 April 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note MKD|North Macedonia (MKD): The 2019–20 Macedonian First Football League was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Vardar (who were declared champions), failed to obtain a UEFA licence, and as a result, the second-placed team, Sileks, were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Football Federation of North Macedonia, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://ffm.mk/sednica-na-upraven-odbor-na-ffm-4|title=Седница на Управен одбор на ФФМ|publisher=Фудбалска Федерација на Македонија|date=26 June 2020|access-date=26 June 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913031636/https://ffm.mk/sednica-na-upraven-odbor-na-ffm-4|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note NIR|Northern Ireland (NIR): The 2019–20 NIFL Premiership was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonement, Linfield (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Irish Football Association, entering the preliminary round.{{cite web|url=https://www.nifootballleague.com/news/2020/june/statement-26-june/|title=STATEMENT: 26 JUNE 2020|publisher=Northern Ireland Football League|date=26 June 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note SMR|San Marino (SMR): The 2019–20 Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment, Tre Fiori (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the San Marino Football Federation, entering the preliminary round.{{cite web|url=https://www.fsgc.sm/la-prossima-stagione-iniziera-il-1-luglio-tre-fiori-e-fiorentino-campioni-2019-20/|title=La prossima stagione inizierà il 1 luglio, Tre Fiori e Fiorentino campioni 2019-20|publisher=Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio|date=23 June 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note SCO|Scotland (SCO): The 2019–20 Scottish Premiership was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment based on the average number of points per matches played for each team, Celtic (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Scottish Football Association, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/ladbrokes-premiership-and-spfl-season-201920-cur|title=Ladbrokes Premiership and SPFL Season 2019/20 curtailed|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=18 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2|Note TUR|Turkey (TUR): Trabzonspor, the second-placed team of the 2019–20 Süper Lig, would have qualified for the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, but were banned from all UEFA club competitions for the 2020–21 season by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body on 3 June 2020 due to breaches of the UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025e-0f920cab23db-f7aba1a3cf59-1000--cfcb-adjudicatory-chamber-issues-order-excluding-trabzonsp/ |title=CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber issues order excluding Trabzonspor AŞ |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=3 June 2020}} Trabzonspor appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/sports-court-to-announce-trabzonspor-verdict-this-month/1913110|title=Sports court to announce Trabzonspor verdict this month|publisher=aa.com.tr|date=16 July 2020}} but on 30 July 2020, it was announced that the ban on them participating in UEFA club competitions was upheld.{{cite web|url=https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/CAS_Media_Release_7169.pdf|title=CAS issues its decision in the appeal filed by Trabzonspor A.S. against UEFA|work=tas-cas.org|date=30 July 2020}} As a result, Beşiktaş, the third-placed team, qualified for this berth.}}

{{Cnote2|Note WAL|Wales (WAL): The 2019–20 Cymru Premier was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. The top team of the league at the time of the abandonment based on the average number of points per matches played for each team, Connah's Quay Nomads (who were declared champions), were selected to play in the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League by the Football Association of Wales, entering the first qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/faw-board-decide-curtail-national-leagues-season/|title=FAW Board decide to curtail National Leagues season|publisher=Football Association of Wales|date=19 May 2020}}}}

{{Cnote2 End}}

The schedule of the competition was as follows (all draws were held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland unless otherwise stated).{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0255-0e99f55a0652-b0b5d7df3d8c-1000--2020-21-uefa-champions-league-match-calendar/|title=2020/21 UEFA Champions League match calendar|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=24 September 2019}} The tournament would originally have started in June 2020, but had been delayed to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025e-0fac7ce8f2d4-6d86444e8807-1000--2020-21-uefa-champions-league-all-you-need-to-know/|title=2020/21 UEFA Champions League: all you need to know|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=9 July 2020}} The new schedule was announced by the UEFA Executive Committee on 17 June 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0262-1081498f8833-04c0fb0a653d-1000--uefa-competitions-calendar-2020-21/ |title=Updated UEFA competitions calendar |website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=17 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020}} All qualifying matches, excluding the play-off round, were played as single leg matches, hosted by one of the teams decided by draw (except the preliminary round which was played at neutral venue).{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/025f-0fd8ee39d484-116d3b4051d6-1000--venues-for-round-of-16-matches-confirmed/|title=Venues for Round of 16 matches confirmed|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=9 July 2020}}

The group stage draw was originally to be held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece, but UEFA announced on 9 September 2020 that it would be relocated to Nyon,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0261-10553a4e1a8f-7179733a7810-1000--european-club-football-season-kick-off-moved-from-athens-to-nyo/|title=European Club Football Season Kick-Off moved from Athens to Nyon|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=9 September 2020}} but it was eventually held at nearby Geneva.

The original schedule of the competition, as planned before the pandemic, was as follows (all draws were to be held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, unless stated otherwise).

The major revision to schedule of the competition, as planned before relocation the final from Istanbul, was as follows (all draws were to be held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, unless stated otherwise).

File:FC Krasnodar vs Chelsea supporters 2020-10-30 (cropped).jpg players on Matchday 2 group stage with limited capacity in the stands.]]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the following special rules were applicable to the competition:{{cite web|url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0260-100c6fba8eba-9422fa7320b1-1000/annex_i_to_2020-21_ucl-uel_regs_covid19_en_20200804093248.pdf|title=Annex I – Special rules applicable to the qualifying phase and play-offs due to COVID-19|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=4 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0261-10733d1fe236-f368a1761230-1000/annex_j_to_2020-21_ucl-uel_regs_covid19_group_stage_en.pdf|title=Annex J – Special rules applicable to the group stage of the competition due to COVID-19|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=24 September 2020}}

• If there were travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that prevented the away team from entering the home team's country or returning to their own country, the match could be played at a neutral country or the away team's country that allowed the match to take place.
• If a team refused to play or was considered responsible for a match not taking place, they were considered to have forfeited the match. If both teams refused to play or were considered responsible for a match not taking place, both teams were disqualified.
• If a team had players and/or officials tested positive for SARS-2 coronavirus preventing them from playing the match before the deadline set by UEFA, they were considered to have forfeited the match.

On 24 September 2020, UEFA announced that five substitutions would be permitted from the group stage onward, with a sixth allowed in extra time. However, each team was only given three opportunities to make substitutions during matches, with a fourth opportunity in extra time, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time. Consequently, a maximum of twelve players could be listed on the substitute bench.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0261-107376966207-6a2ea096698b-1000/ |title=Two triple-headers approved for 2021 March and September national team windows |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=24 September 2020 |access-date=24 September 2020}}

All qualifying matches were played behind closed doors. Following the partial return of fans at the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, UEFA announced on 1 October 2020 that matches from the group stage onward could be played at 30% capacity if allowed by the local authorities.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0262-1081de31d4dc-eb42ed3fe9e8-1000--partial-return-of-fans/|title=UEFA allows return of fans at maximum 30% of capacity pending approval of local authorities|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=1 October 2020}}

The final was originally scheduled to be played at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Russia. However, due to the postponement and relocation of the 2020 final to Lisbon as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the final hosts were shifted back a year, with the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey instead planning to host the 2021 final. However, on 13 May 2021 UEFA announced that the final would be relocated to Porto in order to allow fans to attend the match.

{{main|1=2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|l1=2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|PR}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|Q1}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|Q2}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|Q3}}

{{main|1=2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round#Play-off round|l1=2020–21 UEFA Champions League play-off round}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|PO}}

{{main|2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage}}

{{Location map+ |Europe |width=600 |float=right |caption=Location of teams of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage.
8px Brown: Group A; 8px Red: Group B; 8px Orange: Group C; 8px Yellow: Group D;
8px Green: Group E; 8px Blue: Group F; 8px Purple: Group G; 8px Pink: Group H.

|places=

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=47.8|long=13.033333|label_size=80|label=Salzburg|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.208889|long=3.224167|label_size=80|label=Brugge|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=left}}

{{location map~ |Europe|lat=56.116868|long=8.951669|label_size=80|label=Midtjylland|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}}

{{location map~|Europe|lat=51.50722|long=-0.1275|label_size=80|label=Chelsea|mark=Green pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=53.43082|long=-2.96083|label_size=80|label=Liverpool|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=53.46666|long=-2.244064|label_size=80|label=Manchester|mark=Black pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=43.2964|long=5.37|label_size=80|label=Marseille|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.84139|long=2.25306|label_size=80|label=PSG|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.1147|long=-1.6794|label_size=80|label=Rennes|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.49257|long=7.45184|label_size=80|label=Dortmund|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=top/right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.2|long=6.433333|label_size=80|label=M'gladbach|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.21878|long=11.62475|label_size=80|label=Bayern|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=51.20449|long=12.2053|label_size=80|label=Leipzig|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=37.943|long=23.646944|label_size=80|label=Olympiacos|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=47.497912|long=19.040235|label_size=80|label=Ferencváros|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.698264|long=9.67727|label_size=80|label=Atalanta|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.466805|long=9.190434|label_size=80|label=Inter|mark=Red pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.10944|long=7.64111|label_size=80|label=Juventus|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=41.82872|long=12.42547|label_size=80|label=Lazio|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=52.31416|long=4.94194|label_size=80|label=Ajax|mark=Yellow pog.svg|position=top}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=41.16176|long=-8.58393|label_size=80|label=Porto|mark=Orange pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=55.75|long=37.616667|label_size=80|label=Lokomotiv|mark=Brown pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=59.951921|long=30.28627|label_size=80|label=Zenit|mark=Blue pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=45.044433|long=39.029195|label_size=80|label=Krasnodar|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=41.38087|long=2.1228|label_size=80|label=Barcelona|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=40.383333|long=-3.716667|label_size=80|label=Madrid|mark=Black pog.svg|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=37.39|long=-5.99|label_size=80|label=Sevilla|mark=Green pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=41.10287|long=28.99042|label_size=80|label=Başakşehir|mark=Pink pog.svg|position=right}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=48.02083|long=37.80972|label_size=80|label=Shakhtar|mark=Red pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~|Europe|lat=50.45|long=30.523333|label_size=80|label=Dynamo|mark=Purple pog.svg|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |Europe |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |marksize=1 |lat=65 |long=55 |label_size=75 |label=

{{nowrap|Madrid teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Atlético Madrid

8px Real Madrid}}

{{nowrap|Manchester teams}}

{{nowrap|8px Manchester City

8px Manchester United}}

|position=right}}

}}

A total of 32 teams played in the group stage, from fifteen countries: 26 teams which entered in this stage, and the six winners of the play-off round (four from Champions Path, two from League Path).

The draw for the group stage was held on 1 October 2020, 17:00 CEST, at the RTS Studios in Geneva, Switzerland.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/draws/2021/2001252/|title=UEFA Champions League group stage draw|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=1 October 2020}} The 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four, with the restriction that teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other. For the draw, the teams were seeded into four pots based on the following principles (introduced starting 2015–16 season):{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29562047|title=Champions League: Domestic title winners to receive top-seed status|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0220-0e15f38d3608-4437365f0e2f-1000--champions-bonus-for-group-stage-draw/|title=Champions' bonus for group stage draw|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=24 April 2015}}

• Pot 1 contained the Champions League and Europa League title holders, and the champions of the top six associations based on their 2019 UEFA country coefficients. As the Champions League title holder, Bayern Munich, were also their national champions, the champions of the association ranked seventh, Porto, was also seeded in pot 1.
• Pot 2, 3 and 4 contained the remaining teams, seeded based on their 2020 UEFA club coefficients.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/#/yr/2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113004406/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/#/yr/2020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2013 |title=Club coefficients 2019/20 |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations }}

In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away in a round-robin format. The group winners and runners-up advanced to the round of 16, while the third-placed teams entered the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League round of 32. The matchdays were 20–21 October, 27–28 October, 3–4 November, 24–25 November, 1–2 December and 8–9 December 2020.

The youth teams of the clubs that qualified for the group stage were also set to participate in the 2020–21 UEFA Youth League, along with the youth domestic champions of the top 32 associations, in a single-leg knockout tournament. However, that tournament was later cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefayouthleague/news/0266-11997294d743-fbfbf56f6f99-1000--2020-21-uefa-youth-league-cancelled/|title=2020/21 UEFA Youth League cancelled|website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=17 February 2021}}

İstanbul Başakşehir, Krasnodar, Midtjylland and Rennes made their debut appearances in the group stage. With İstanbul Başakşehir's appearance in the group stage, Istanbul became the first city to be represented in the group stage by four different teams (having been previously represented by Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray). This season became the first in the history of the Champions League in which three Russian clubs played in the group stage.{{cite web |url=https://www.metronews.ru/sport/reviews/na-gruppovom-etape-lch-vpervye-v-istorii-sygrayut-tri-rossiyskih-kluba-1715441/ |title=На групповом этапе ЛЧ впервые в истории сыграют три российских клуба|date=October 2020|trans-title=Three Russian clubs will play for the first time in the UCL group stage|language=ru |publisher=Metro International}}

{{clear}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group A|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group B|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group C|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group D|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group E|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group F|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group G|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{:2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage|transcludesection=Group H|show_matches=yes|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}}

{{main|2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase}}

In the knockout phase, teams played against each other over two legs on a home-and-away basis, except for the one-match final.{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|Format}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|Bracket}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|R16}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|QF}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|SF}}

{{#lst:2020–21 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|F}}

Statistics exclude qualifying rounds and play-off round.

The UEFA technical study group selected the following 23 players as the squad of the tournament.{{cite news |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0269-12688c451cdd-b6efcb4ce948-1000--champions-league-all-star-squad/ |website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=31 May 2021 |access-date=1 June 2021}}

{{main|UEFA Club Football Awards|UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award}}

Votes were cast for players of the season by coaches of the 32 teams in the group stage, together with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, representing each of UEFA's member associations. The coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own teams. Jury members selected their top three players, with the first receiving five points, the second three and the third one. In case of a tie on points, the number of five-point votes received served as the tiebreaker. The shortlist of the top three players was announced on 13 August 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/026c-12fcfe9dd0ef-2e0034beb81f-1000--champions-league-positional-award-nominees/|title=Champions League positional award nominees announced|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=13 August 2021|access-date=13 August 2021}} The award winners were announced and presented during the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Turkey on 26 August 2021.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

• 2020–21 UEFA Europa League
• 2021 UEFA Super Cup
• 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League
• 2020–21 UEFA Youth League
• 2020–21 UEFA Futsal Champions League

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/}}
• [https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/fixtures-results/2021/ Fixtures and Results, 2020–21], UEFA.com

{{UEFA Champions League seasons}}

{{2020–21 in European football (UEFA)}}

{{2020–21 European club competitions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uefa Champions League 2020-21}}

1

Category:Association football events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2020