Champion League

The UEFA Champions League /juːˈeɪfə ˈtʃæmpiənz ˈliːɡ/, known simply as the Champions League, and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual continental clubfootball competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe.[1] It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world andthe most prestigious club competition in European football. The final of the 2011 tournament was the most-watched UEFA Champions League final to date, as well as the most watched annual sporting eventworldwide that year, drawing 178.7 million television viewers.[2]

Prior to 1992, the tournament was officially called the "European Champion Clubs' Cup", but was usually referred to simply as the"European Cup".[1] The competition was initially a straight knockout competition open only to the champion club of each country.[1] During the 1990s, the tournament began to be expanded, incorporating around-robin group phase and more teams.[1] Europe's strongest national leagues now provide up to four teams each for the competition.[3] The UEFA Champions League should not be confused with the UEFAEuropa League, formerly known as the UEFA Cup.[4]

The tournament consists of several stages.[5] In the present format, it begins in mid-July with three knockout qualifying rounds and a play-offround.[5] The 10 surviving teams join 22 seeded teams in the group stage, in which there are eight groups of four teams each.[5] The eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockoutphase, which culminates with the final match in May.[5] The winner of the UEFA Champions League qualifies for the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[6][7]

Real Madrid is the most successfulclub in the competition's history, having won the tournament nine times, including the first five seasons it was contested.[8] Spanish clubs have accumulated the highest number of victories, with 13...