European football is on the brink of a new season, and the balance of power in the continent's most prestigious club tournament is becoming clearer. By the time most national leagues conclude, 29 teams have already secured direct spots in the main draw of the 2026/27 Champions League season. This means that nearly 80% of the participants in the elite round are already known.
For Ukrainian fans, and specifically Shakhtar supporters, this list holds special significance. It holds the answer to the question of who the Donetsk club will have to face in the group stage or the new tournament format. For now, we see how the landscape is forming and who has already guaranteed themselves a seat at the big table.
Hegemony of top leagues: who dominates Europe
Statistics for the new season confirm the trend of recent years: European football remains in the hands of the "Big Four," but with a noticeable tilt towards two specific countries. Spain and England have demonstrated the incredible strength of their leagues, securing five representatives each in the main Champions League draw. This is an absolute record for representation.
Germany and Italy follow confidently, with their clubs also occupying a significant portion of the quotas. This distribution indicates that competition in these leagues has reached its peak, and even the "second" and "third" forces of these championships are capable of breaking into the elite without question.
Who else is on the list and what awaits Shakhtar
The list of 29 teams that will start the tournament without having to go through the qualifying rounds is already formed. These are champion clubs from leading leagues, as well as podium finishers who managed to accumulate enough points in their national championships.
For Shakhtar and other Ukrainian teams that will be fighting for their spots in the qualifiers, this list is a map of potential opponents. If the Donetsk club successfully passes the qualifiers, their path could cross with any of these giants. The draw for the main stage, which will take place after all qualifying matches conclude in August, will finally determine the schedule and opponents.
The final battle for the remaining spots
Although 29 spots have already been distributed, the Champions League tournament grid is calculated for 36 participants. This means that seven vacant spots still need to be played for on the football field. The battle for them will unfold in the qualifying rounds — both via the "champions" and "league" paths.
The final matches of the qualifying tournament are scheduled for August. It is on these days that the fate of the last tickets will be decided. After this, UEFA will conduct the final draw, which will finally form the grid for the main stage. For many teams, this will be the last chance to break into the elite, while for those already qualified, it will be an opportunity to see who they will share glory with in the new season.