Whereas the group stage previously consisted of two groups of eight teams, the 2026-2027 EHF Champions League group stage will see 24 teams divided into six groups of four, duking it out from 9 September to 29 October 2026. After six matches (home and away), the top two teams in each group will qualify for a main round, which is one of the new features introduced by the EHF. The bottom two teams will continue their adventure in the EHF European League, where they will enter the playoff stage.
The main round will return to a more familiar format, with the twelve teams that qualify from the group stage divided into two groups. Each team will then play ten matches, competing in home and away fixtures from 18 November 2026 to 4 March 2027. At the end of the main round, the top four teams in each group will qualify directly for the quarter-finals. The two teams ranked fifth will compete in the EHF European League round of 16, while the teams finishing last in their groups will be eliminated from European competition.
No surprises for the next stage: the quarter-final first legs will be played on 24 and 25 March 2027 (with the second legs on 31 March and 1 April). The winners will go to Cologne, where the Final4 will be held as usual on 12 and 13 June 2027, crowning the new European champion after an epic 20 matches.