What UEFA’s Champions League Rule Change Means for Arsenal and Liverpool

A Champions League rule change is set to come into play next season, and it could have a direct impact on Arsenal and Liverpool.

UEFA have already decided to tweak the competition’s new league-phase format, despite it only being introduced at the start of last season.

While the expanded structure has brought more matches and late drama, it has also drawn some criticism, and now UEFA are set to adjust how fixtures are drawn.

Champions League Rule Change Explained

From the 2026/27 season, UEFA will prevent the same league-phase fixture from being repeated across three consecutive campaigns when the same team is at home.

In simple terms, if a club hosts the same opponent in the league phase two seasons in a row, UEFA’s draw software will block that exact home fixture from happening for a third straight year.

Reverse fixtures will still be allowed. So a team could still face the same opponent, but only away from home if they have already hosted them twice.

Champions League Rule Change Affecting Arsenal and Liverpool

Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs most likely to feel the impact of this rule change due to recent Champions League pairings.

Liverpool have hosted Real Madrid at Anfield in consecutive seasons, winning 2-0 in 2024 and 1-0 in 2025. Under the new rules, that exact fixture would not be permitted for a third campaign running.

Arsenal fall into a similar category after back-to-back trips to Inter Milan. The Gunners lost 1-0 at San Siro in 2024 before returning earlier this month and winning 3-1. If the draw were to land the same way again, UEFA’s system would now prevent it.

Arsenal will almost certainly be in next year’s competition, but Liverpool’s chances are in slight jeopardy, with them placed sixth in the Premier League after 23 games.

That is the case even with the Premier League on track to secure five Champions League spots for 2026/27.

How the Champions League League Phase Works

The Champions League league phase features 36 teams rather than traditional groups.

Teams qualify via domestic league positions, alongside the previous season’s Champions League and Europa League winners, plus clubs that progress through qualifying rounds.

Sides are split into four pots based on UEFA coefficient rankings. Each team plays eight matches in total, facing two opponents from each pot, one at home and one away.

Clubs cannot play teams from the same country, nor can they face more than two teams from another nation. The new restriction on repeat fixtures will now be applied on top of those rules.