Qualification
Since 2009–10 season, the UEFA Champions League begins with a double round-robin
group stage of 32 teams, which is preceded by two qualification
'streams' for teams that do not receive direct entry to the tournament
proper. The two streams are divided between teams qualified by virtue of
being league champions, and those qualified by virtue of finishing
2nd–4th in their national championship.
The number of teams that each association enters into the UEFA Champions League is based upon the UEFA coefficients
of the member associations. These coefficients are generated by the
results of clubs representing each association during the previous five
Champions League and UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup
seasons. The higher an association's coefficient, the more teams
represent the association in the Champions League, and the fewer
qualification rounds the association's teams must compete in.
Four of the remaining six qualifying places are granted to the
winners of a six-round qualifying tournament between the remaining 43 or
44 national champions, within which those champions from associations
with higher coefficients receive byes to later rounds. The other two are
granted to the winners of a three-round qualifying tournament between
the 11 clubs from the associations ranked 5 through 15, which have
qualified based upon finishing second, or third in their respective
national league.
In addition to sporting criteria, any club must be licensed by
its national association to participate in the Champions League. To
obtain a license, the club must meet certain stadium, infrastructure,
and finance requirements.
