Regulations of the UEFA Youth League

Preamble

The following regulations have been adopted on the basis of Articles 49(2)(b) and 50(1) of the UEFA Statutes.

I - General Provisions

Article 1 Scope of application

1.01 The present regulations govern the rights, duties and responsibilities of all parties participating and involved in the preparation and organisation of the 2026/27 UEFA Youth League (hereinafter the competition).

Article 2 Definitions

2.01 In these regulations, the use of the masculine form refers equally to the feminine, and vice versa.

2.02 In the context of these regulations, the following definitions apply:

Commercial rights

Any and all commercial rights and opportunities in and in relation to the competition, including media rights, marketing rights and data rights.

Competition area

The technical areas as defined in the IFAB Laws of the Game and all areas that are primarily used by players and the referee team as well as the officials and venue team members during the match, plus the fourth official's position, any seats in the stands used by either team's sporting delegation, the referee review area (RRA) if video assistant referees are used, the players' tunnel, the team and referee dressing rooms, the medical room and the doping control station.

Data rights

The right to compile and exploit statistics and other data in relation to the competition.

Doping

The occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations set out in the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations.

Local organising structure (LOS)

The group of individuals who help organise home matches at the behest of the club participating in the UEFA Youth League (or a member association appointed by UEFA), and in close cooperation with UEFA, the minimum composition of which required by UEFA includes representatives of the club’s management or the association, the stadium authorities, the safety/security services, the club press officer, the national and local police, the relevant competent authorities and other public bodies and agencies, including the transport network and traffic management services.

Marketing rights

The right to advertise, promote, endorse and market the competition; to conduct public relations activities in relation to the competition; and to exploit all advertising, sponsorship, hospitality, licensing, merchandising, publishing, betting, gaming, retailing, music and franchising opportunities and all other rights of commercial association with the competition (including through ticket promotions).

Media rights

The right to create, distribute and transmit on a linear and/or on-demand basis for reception on a live and/or delayed basis anywhere in the world by any and all means and in any and all media, whether now known or devised in the future (including all forms of television, radio, mobile, wireless and internet distribution), digital, audiovisual, visual and/or audio coverage of the competition and all associated and/or related rights, including fixed media, download and interactive rights.

Non-commercial purposes

Activities without any direct or indirect third-party association necessary for (i) a club to advertise its own matches, (ii) internal archiving purposes and (iii) internal library purposes, but excluding commercial rights and any other activity that UEFA considers commercial in nature.

Partner

Any party accepted by UEFA under contract to exercise the commercial rights, and thereby participating directly or indirectly in the financing of the competition.

UEFA spectator capacity

All seats and allocated standing places in the stadium that comply with the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations, minus any seats permanently assigned to media and broadcasters.

Venue

The location of the stadium of the match, including the area controlled by the relevant competent authorities but also any relevant surrounding areas.

2.03 In the context of these regulations, any phrase introduced by the terms 'including', 'include', 'in particular', 'for example' or any similar expression is illustrative and does not limit the sense of the words preceding those terms.

Article 3 Entries for the competition

3.01 The competition is open to the following teams:

1. The youth teams of the 36 clubs which qualify for the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League (UEFA Champions League path);

2. the domestic youth champions of all 55 national associations (domestic champions path) drawn up in accordance with Annex A. The relevant domestic youth championship, i.e. U17, U18 or U19 domestic championship, is defined by the national association and validated by UEFA.

3.02 The UEFA Youth League titleholder is guaranteed a place in the second round of the domestic champions path if it does not qualify for the competition in accordance with Paragraph 3.01. If the titleholder is already qualified, the access list is rebalanced accordingly with priority given to the club of the best ranked association of the relevant round in the access list.

3.03 If there is a vacancy in the UEFA Champions League path, replacement criteria will be defined by the UEFA administration and communicated in writing.

3.04 If a club qualifies for both the UEFA Champions League path and the domestic champions path, it automatically participates in the UEFA Champions League path and the vacancy in the domestic champions path is, in principle, filled by the runner-up of the domestic championship of the respective national association that created the vacancy. In case the runner-up has qualified via the UEFA Champions League path, the vacancy is not filled, and the access list is rebalanced accordingly with priority given to the club of the best ranked association of the relevant round in the access list.

Article 4 Admission criteria and procedure

4.01 To be eligible to participate in the competition, clubs must:

1. have qualified for the competition on sporting merit;

2. submit the complete, accurate and duly signed versions of the official entry documents (i.e. all documents containing the information deemed necessary by the UEFA administration for ascertaining compliance with the admission criteria, including the Admission criteria form attached to these regulations in Annex E), which must reach the UEFA administration by the deadline set by the latter and communicated to all associations by circular letter in due course;

3. have a youth development programme approved by the UEFA member association with which they are affiliated, in accordance with Article 17 of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations;

4. comply with the rules aimed at ensuring the integrity of the competition as defined and to the extent provided for in Article 5;

5. confirm in writing that they themselves, as well as their players and officials, comply with the IFAB Laws of the Game promulgated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and agree to respect the statutes (including the principles of fair play as defined therein), regulations, protocols, directives and decisions of UEFA;

6. confirm in writing that they themselves, as well as their players and officials, agree to recognise the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, as defined in the relevant provisions of the UEFA Statutes and agree that any proceedings before the CAS concerning admission to, participation in or exclusion from the competition will be held in an expedited manner in accordance with the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration and with the directions issued by the CAS, including for provisional or super-provisional measures, to the explicit exclusion of any state or other court;

7. not have been directly and/or indirectly involved, at any time since 1 March 2016 (i.e. ten years before the entry into force of these regulations), in any activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level and confirm this to the UEFA administration in writing.

4.02 If, on the basis of all the factual circumstances and information available to UEFA, UEFA concludes to its comfortable satisfaction that a club has been directly and/or indirectly involved, at any time since 1 March 2016 (i.e. ten years before the entry into force of these regulations), in any activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level, UEFA will declare such club ineligible to participate in the competition. Such ineligibility is effective for only one football season. When taking its decision, UEFA can rely on, but is not bound by, the decision of a national or international sporting body, arbitral tribunal or state court. UEFA can refrain from declaring a club ineligible to participate in the competition if UEFA is comfortably satisfied that the impact of a decision taken in connection with the same factual circumstances by a national or international sporting body, arbitral tribunal or state court has already had the effect of preventing that club from participating in a UEFA club competition.

4.03 In addition or as an alternative to taking the measures as provided for in Paragraph 4.02, the UEFA Organs for the Administration of Justice can, if the circumstances so justify, also take disciplinary measures in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

4.04 The UEFA administration communicates the decisions on admission to the competition as well as any other appropriate measure to the clubs in writing, with a copy to their associations. Such decisions are final.

4.05 If, on the basis of a complaint received by UEFA or information available to UEFA, there is a doubt as to whether a club fulfils the admission criteria defined in Paragraph 4.01(c) and Paragraph 4.01(d), the UEFA administration may refer the case to the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, which decides on the admission without delay in accordance with the Procedural rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body.

4.06 If there is any doubt as to whether a club fulfils other admission criteria than those defined in Paragraph 4.01(c) and/or Paragraph 4.01(d), the UEFA administration may refer the case to the UEFA disciplinary bodies, which decide without delay upon the club's admission in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

4.07 UEFA may carry out investigations at any time (even after the end of the competition) to ensure that the admission criteria are or were met until the end of the competition; if such an investigation reveals that one of these criteria is or was no longer met in the course of the competition, the club concerned is liable to disciplinary measures in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations or the Procedural rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, as applicable.

4.08 A club that is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next-best-placed club in the highest domestic youth championship of the same association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria and the status of the competition allows such a replacement, safeguarding the sporting integrity of the competition. In such case, the access of the relevant association is adjusted accordingly.

4.09 If a domestic champion refuses to enter the competition, in principle no other club from the same association may be entered in its place and the access list is rebalanced accordingly with priority given to the club of the best ranked association of the relevant round in the access list. Exceptionally however, if a domestic champion and its national association submit a timely, reasoned request that the domestic champion does not enter the competition, UEFA may accept that the domestic champion be replaced by the runner-up of the same domestic youth championship of the association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria and the status of the competition allows such a replacement, safeguarding the sporting integrity of the competition. If the runner-up has already qualified via the UEFA Champions League path or refuses to enter the competition, no other club from the same association may be entered in its place and the access list is rebalanced accordingly.

Article 5 Integrity of the competition/multi-club ownership

5.01 To ensure the integrity of the competition, the club must be able to prove that as at 1 March 2026 the below criteria are met and the club must continue to comply with the below criteria until the end of the competition season:

1. No club participating in the competition may, either directly or indirectly:

   1. hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in the competition;

   2. be a member of any other club participating in the competition;

   3. be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in the competition; or

   4. have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in the competition.

2. No one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in the competition.

3. No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in the competition, such control or influence being defined in this context as:

   1. holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;

   2. having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;

   3. being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or

   4. being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club.

5.02 If two or more clubs fail to meet the criteria aimed at ensuring the integrity of the competition, only one of them may be admitted to the competition, in accordance with the following criteria (applicable in descending order):

1. the club entering the competition in the UEFA Champions League path;

2. the club whose association is ranked highest in the access list (see Annex A).

5.03 Clubs that are not admitted are replaced in accordance with Paragraph 4.08.

Article 6 Duties of the clubs

6.01 On entering the competition, participating clubs agree:

1. to play in the competition until their elimination and to field their strongest team of the age category throughout the competition;

2. to play all matches under the direction of a head coach who is responsible for the selection, tactics and training of the team and for managing the players and technical staff in the competition area before, during and after the match. The head coach should hold at least a UEFA A licence or a UEFA Elite Youth A licence;

3. to stage and play all matches in the competition in accordance with the present regulations;

4. to comply with all decisions regarding the competition taken by the UEFA Executive Committee, the UEFA administration or any other competent body and communicated appropriately (by UEFA circular letter or by official letter or email);

5. to observe the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations for all matches in the competition;

6. to stage each match in the competition in a stadium meeting the structural criteria of the stadium category required by Paragraph 30.01;

7. to indemnify, defend and hold UEFA, its subsidiaries and any LOS and all of their officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and other auxiliary persons free and harmless against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, fines and expenses (including reasonable legal expenses) of whatsoever kind or nature resulting from, arising out of, or attributable to any non-compliance by the club or any of its players, officials, employees, representatives or agents with these regulations;

8. not to represent UEFA or the competition without UEFA’s prior written approval;

9. to update the UEFA administration in writing within 14 working days about any facts and information related to the admission criteria (see Paragraph 4.01) that have changed since the admission of the club (including changes affecting the official entry documents);

10. to inform the UEFA administration about any disciplinary procedure opened against the club and/or its players and/or its officials by its association and/or its domestic league for allegedly arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national level; the same applies for any football-related procedure opened by a state authority against the club and/or its players and/or its officials based on the criminal code.

6.02 The club may use its name and/or logo provided all the following requirements are satisfied:

1. The name is mentioned in the statutes of the club;

2. If required by national law, the name/logo is registered with the chamber of commerce or equivalent body;

3. The name/logo is registered with the club's association and used in national competitions;

4. The name/logo does not refer to the name of a commercial partner. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the UEFA administration in case of particular hardship (e.g. long-term existing name) at the reasoned request of the club concerned.

If so requested, the club must provide the UEFA administration with the necessary evidence.

Article 7 Responsibilities of the associations and clubs

7.01 If necessary, visiting clubs must apply for visas from the diplomatic mission of the host country well in advance of their trip. Upon request, the home club must assist the visiting club as much as possible with the visa formalities.

7.02 The clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players, officials, members, supporters and any person carrying out a function at a match on their behalf.

7.03 Minimum medical requirements concerning the provision of facilities, equipment and personnel by the home club are set out in the UEFA Medical Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, the home club has sole responsibility for the provision and operation of any facilities and equipment required in the above-mentioned regulations.

7.04 The home club (or the host association) is responsible for safety and security before, during and after the match. The home club (or the host association) may be called to account for incidents of any kind and may be disciplined.

7.05 The club considered the home club must stage its matches in accordance with the instructions of UEFA (or of a third party acting on UEFA’s behalf) and in cooperation with the association concerned. However, the club is considered solely accountable for all of its obligations in this respect.

7.06 Clubs are responsible for guaranteeing the application of sustainability principles in their activities throughout the full duration of the competition, through respect for human rights and the environment.

7.07 In the weeks prior to each match, clubs must enter the required information into UEFA’s TIME platform.

7.08 UEFA declines all responsibility in the event of conflicts arising from contracts between a club or any of its players, officials, employees, representatives or agents and any third party (including their sponsors, suppliers, manufacturers, broadcasters, agents and players) on account of the provisions of these regulations and/or any other UEFA regulations and such persons’ obligations thereunder.

Article 8 Anti-doping

8.01 Doping is forbidden and is a punishable offence. In the event of an anti-doping rule violation, UEFA will instigate disciplinary proceedings and take the appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations. This may include the imposition of provisional measures.

8.02 UEFA may test any player at any time.

Article 9 Fair play

9.01 All UEFA competition matches must be played in accordance with the principles of fair play as defined in the UEFA Statutes.

9.02 Fair play assessments are conducted at all matches in the competition in accordance with the UEFA Fair Play Regulations, in order to establish association fair play rankings at the end of each season.

Article 10 Insurance

10.01 All persons involved in the competition are responsible for their own insurance cover.

10.02 Clubs are responsible for and undertake to conclude all necessary and adequate insurance cover for their delegations, including players and officials, at their own expense for the whole duration of the competition.

10.03 Home clubs staging matches in the competition must conclude appropriate insurance cover with reputable insurers for all of their risks arising under these regulations at their own expense, in accordance with their responsibilities, as set out in Article 7 of these regulations. The third-party liability policy must include an appropriate guaranteed sum for damages to persons, objects and property, as well as for pure economic losses corresponding to the specific circumstances of the clubs concerned. Likewise, the policies must fully cover all risks connected with the staging of the matches in question (including force majeure events). In any case, home clubs must ensure that UEFA is included as co-insured party in all insurance policies as defined in the present paragraph.

10.04 If the home club is not the owner of a stadium used, it must ensure that the stadium owner and/or tenant in question provides fully comprehensive insurance cover, including third-party liability and property damage. If appropriate insurance policies are not provided by the stadium owner and/or tenant in due time, the home club is required to conclude the necessary additional insurance cover at its own cost, failing which it may be concluded by UEFA at the home club’s expense.

10.05 Claims for damages against UEFA are expressly excluded and anyone involved must hold UEFA harmless from any and all claims for liability arising in relation to the competition. In any case, UEFA may request anyone involved to provide, free of charge, written releases of liability, hold harmless notes, confirmation and/or copies of the policies concerned in one of UEFA’s official languages.

Article 11 Trophy and medals

11.01 The Lennart Johansson Trophy, which is used for the official presentation ceremony at the final, remains in UEFA’s keeping and ownership at all times. A full-sized replica trophy, the UEFA Youth League winners' trophy, is awarded to the winning club.

11.02 The winning team is presented with 50 gold medals and the runner-up with 50 silver medals.

Article 12 Intellectual property rights

12.01 UEFA is the exclusive owner of all intellectual property rights of the competition, including any current or future rights in all types of audio and visual material of the competition, names, logos, visual identities, brands, music, mascots, medals, plaques, commemorative items, trophies and certain key elements of the official match ball design. Any use of the aforementioned rights, any imitation and/or variation thereof and any other reference to the competition (such as by associating the name of a club with the date of a match) requires the prior written approval of UEFA and must comply with any conditions imposed by UEFA.

12.02 All rights to the fixture list and match schedule, as well as any data and statistics (including databases in which such data is stored) in relation to the matches of and players’ participation in the competition are the sole and exclusive property of UEFA. No tickets or accreditation may be used by anyone in order to gain access to a stadium for the purposes of collecting or gathering such data, and such activities are expressly prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to the participating clubs, subject to any and all such data collected being used solely for the purposes of instructing their team, players and officials and expressly excluding any other exploitation or use whatsoever.

II - Competition System

Article 13 Competition stages

13.01 All matches in the competition are played in conformity with the IFAB Laws of the Game. The half-time interval lasts 15 minutes.

13.02 The competition stages are as follows (see Annex B):

1. Phase one

   • UEFA Champions League path, comprising a league phase

   • Domestic champions path, comprising a first, second and third round

2. Phase two

   • Round of 32

   • Round of 16

   • Quarter-finals

   • Semi-finals

   • Final

Article 14 Draw system – UEFA Champions League path league phase

14.01 The draw for the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, in accordance with Article 16 of the Regulations of the UEFA Champions League, determines the pairings and match calendar for the UEFA Champions League path of the UEFA Youth League.

14.02 In principle, the UEFA Champions League path follows the same match calendar as the first six matchdays of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

Article 15 Match system – UEFA Champions League path league phase

15.01 All league phase matches are played in accordance with the league system, whereby each club plays six opponents in single-leg ties. Each club plays three home and three away matches.

15.02 In principle, a club does not play more than two home or two away matches in a row. The UEFA administration may derogate from these rules if necessary.

15.03 All 36 clubs are ranked in a single league ranking according to their results (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss).

15.04 The teams ranked 1 to 22 at the end of league phase qualify for the round of 32. The teams in position 23 to 36 are eliminated.

Article 16 Equality of points – league phase

16.01 If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the league phase matches, the following criteria are applied, in this order, to determine their rankings:

1. Superior goal difference in the league phase

2. Higher number of goals scored in the league phase

3. Higher number of away goals scored in the league phase

4. Higher number of wins in the league phase

5. Higher number of away wins in the league phase

6. Higher number of points obtained collectively by league phase opponents

7. Superior collective goal difference of league phase opponents

8. Higher number of goals scored collectively by league phase opponents

9. Lower disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in all league phase matches (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points)

10. drawing of lots

Article 17 Draw system – first, second and third rounds of the domestic champions path

17.01 A draw is conducted to determine the ties and which club plays the first leg at home for each match of the first, second and third rounds. In principle, the pairings are determined by an open draw. If, for any reason, any of the participants in the rounds concerned are not known at the time of the draw, the undecided tie will feature as an option for the draw.

17.02 The UEFA administration may form groups for the draw in accordance with the principles set by the UEFA Club Competitions Committee.

Article 18 Match system – first, second and third rounds of the domestic champions path

18.01 The first, second and third rounds of the domestic champions path are played under the knockout system, whereby each club plays each opponent twice, in home and away matches. The team that scores the greater aggregate of goals in the two matches qualifies for the relevant round or stage (as applicable). In the event that the two teams score the same number of goals across the two matches, Article 21 applies.

18.02 The UEFA administration may decide that a tie be played in one leg, if circumstances so require, and will set the principles for determining the winner accordingly.

Article 19 Draw system – phase two

19.01 In phase two, the 22 teams that qualify at the end of the UEFA Champions League path league phase are joined by the 10 winners of the third round of the domestic champions path, as illustrated in Annex B.

19.02 The fixtures for the round of 32 are determined by means of a draw, conducted in accordance with the following principles:

1. The clubs finishing the league phase of the UEFA Champions League path in positions 1 to 6 are seeded and will be drawn against the clubs finishing the league phase of the UEFA Champions League path in positions 17 to 22.

2. The winners of the third qualifying round of the domestic champions path are seeded and will be drawn against the clubs finishing the league phase of the UEFA Champions League path in positions 7 to 16.

3. In principle, clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.

4. In principle, the seeded clubs play the round of 32 matches at home.

19.03 The fixtures for the round of 16 are determined by means of a draw, in accordance with the following principles:

1. The 16 winners of the round of 32 qualify for the round of 16.

2. In principle, clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.

3. In principle, the club drawn first in each tie plays the round at home.

19.04 The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final pairings are determined according to Annex B.

19.05 The UEFA administration may determine alternative conditions for each draw in accordance with the principles set by the UEFA Club Competitions Committee and may adapt the conditions of the draw or directly assign positions to take into account any relevant constraints in light of decisions taken by the UEFA Executive Committee.

Article 20 Match system – phase two

20.01 Phase two of the competition is played in single-leg knockout matches in accordance with Article 21.

20.02 The four winners of the quarter-finals contest the semi-finals, which are played at a neutral venue.

20.03 The two winners of the semi-finals play the final in a single match at a neutral venue, in principle the same venue as for the semi-finals.

Article 21 Knockout system and penalty shoot-outs

21.01 For the first, second and third rounds of the domestic champions path, which are played under the knockout system, in home and away matches, if the two teams involved in a tie score the same number of goals over the two legs, no extra time is played at the end of the second leg. A penalty shoot-out determines which team qualifies for the next stage.

21.02 For the round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final, which are all played in single-leg knockout matches, if the two teams involved in a tie score the same number of goals, no extra time is played at the end of normal playing time. A penalty shoot-out determines the winning team.

21.03 Penalties are taken in accordance with the IFAB Laws of the Game.

III - Match Scheduling

Article 22 Match dates and fixtures

22.01 All matches are played in accordance with the UEFA Match Calendar (see Annex C).

22.02 For the UEFA Champions League path league phase, the following principles apply:

1. Unless the clubs and UEFA agree otherwise, matches are played in UEFA Champions League matchweeks (see Annex C), on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, with the exception of the first matchday, where matches are played across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

2. In principle, the teams play their matches on the same day as the corresponding senior teams in the UEFA Champions League.

3. If both clubs and the UEFA administration agree, matches may also be played on other dates.

22.03 For the domestic champions path first, second and third rounds, the following principles apply:

1. Unless the clubs and UEFA agree otherwise, matches are played on Wednesday (see Annex C).

2. If both clubs and the UEFA administration agree, matches may also be played on other dates.

22.04 For phase two of the competition, the round of 32 matches, round of 16 matches and quarter-finals are played in the matchweeks indicated in Annex C. If there is no common agreement on the date of a specific match, the match is played on the Wednesday (subject to Paragraph 22.08).

22.05 Phase one match dates must be announced to opponents and the UEFA administration by the following dates:

1. League phase of the UEFA Champions League path: 4 September 2026

2. First round of domestic champions path: 4 September 2026

3. Second round of domestic champions path: 16 October 2026

4. Third round of domestic champions path: 6 November 2026

22.06 The match dates for the round of 32, the round of 16 and the quarter-finals must be announced to opponents and the UEFA administration by the deadline communicated in due course by the UEFA administration. Upon reasoned request, changes may be made after these deadlines if both clubs concerned and the UEFA administration agree.

22.07 If both clubs and the UEFA administration agree, the round of 32, round of 16 matches and quarter-finals may also be played on other dates, provided they are completed before the following dates:

1. round of 32: 4 February 2027;

2. round of 16: 25 February 2027;

3. quarter-finals: 18 March 2027.

22.08 UEFA decides on the date of the semi-finals and final, as well as on the date of matches that are televised (after consultation with the two teams) or on any other match date, if circumstances so require.

Article 23 Stadium announcements and kick-off times

23.01 The stadium must be announced by the club via their association online before the start of the competition, by the deadline set by the UEFA administration. If a stadium is announced by a senior team for use in any of the UEFA club competitions, it may not be announced by a youth team for use in the UEFA Youth League in same season.

23.02 The home club must ensure that the stadium is easily accessible and located within an acceptable distance of an international airport. For matches in the UEFA Champions League path, the home club must ensure that the stadium is located no more than a 45-minute bus drive from the corresponding UEFA Champions League stadium.

23.03 The home club must assist the visiting club with the selection of its hotel, which should be within a 30-minute bus drive of the stadium.

23.04 If a senior team’s UEFA Champions League matches have to be moved to another city and this is communicated before the draw, the corresponding UEFA Youth League matches in the UEFA Champions League path will be played in the city of the UEFA Youth League home team, unless the clubs and the UEFA administration agree otherwise.

23.05 If a senior team’s UEFA Champions League match has to be moved to another city due to unforeseen circumstances and this is communicated after the match dates have been announced in accordance with Paragraph 22.05, the UEFA administration will decide on the venue for the corresponding UEFA Youth League match in the UEFA Champions League path in consultation with the two clubs.

23.06 Kick-off times must be announced using the dedicated online tool by the deadline set by the UEFA administration.

23.07 The home club decides the kick-off times of non-televised matches, in consultation with the visiting club. UEFA reserves the right to decide on the kick-off times of televised matches after consulting with both clubs involved. UEFA sets the kick-off times for the semi-finals and the final.

Article 24 Changes to the match venue, match stadium or match schedule

24.01 If, at any time during the season, the UEFA administration deems that a venue or stadium may not be fit for staging matches of the season in question for whatever reason (including but not limited to pitch, facility and infrastructure, safety and security, operational and/or organisational problems), UEFA may consult the association and club concerned and ask them to propose an alternative venue or stadium, compliant with UEFA’s requirements, for all matches as applicable and decided by UEFA. Should the association and club not be able to propose an acceptable alternative venue or stadium by the deadline set by the UEFA administration, UEFA may select an alternative, neutral stadium, which may be in the same venue, in another venue in the territory of the association of the club concerned, or in the territory of another UEFA association. The club concerned will have to make all the necessary arrangements for the staging of some or all future match(es) of the season, in cooperation with the relevant association and competent authorities. The costs of staging the match(es) are borne by the home club. The UEFA administration takes a final decision on alternative venues/stadiums in due time.

24.02 If any party to a match has any reason to doubt whether that particular match can take place as scheduled (including but not limited to pitch, facility and infrastructure, safety and security, operational and/or organisational issues and/or weather conditions), they must notify the UEFA administration immediately. If the UEFA administration receives any such notification, or has any reason itself to believe that a match may not be able to be played as scheduled, it decides if any change will be made to the venue, stadium, date and/or kick-off time. Such a decision by the UEFA administration is final. If the stadium is changed, the costs of staging the match(es) concerned are borne by the home club.

24.03 The referee decides if a match which has started must be suspended. This decision is made after consultation with the UEFA match delegate and, when possible, the UEFA administration.

24.04 For exceptional circumstances and cases of extreme urgency that may have a significant impact on the running of the competition, and to ensure that a match can take place or can be completed (see Article 25), if necessary without spectators, the home club must have access to a backup stadium that meets the relevant stadium criteria and is approved by the UEFA administration. For emergency back-up stadiums, exceptions can be made to all regular stadium requirements.

24.05 In all cases, decisions taken on the basis of this article are without prejudice to any possible disciplinary measures.

Article 25 Rescheduling of matches

25.01 If it is decided on the day of a match that the match cannot start or cannot be played in full, the full or remaining match time is, as a rule, played the next day, without prejudice to any possible disciplinary measures. For that purpose, the home clubs must conclude all the necessary agreements to ensure that the required facilities are available and can be operated.

25.02 If the match cannot be rescheduled for the next day, the UEFA administration fixes a new date. This may entail exceptions to the regular match calendar (see Annex C).

25.03 As a rule, a rescheduled match is played at the same stadium. If the circumstances require a change of stadium, the UEFA administration must approve the alternative stadium (see Paragraph 24.04).

25.04 In all cases, the UEFA administration must approve the stadium and fix the new kick-off time taking account of the teams’ needs wherever possible.

25.05 If a club is responsible for any change to the match stadium or match schedule for all or part of a match, that club bears its own expenses as well as any additional travel, board and lodging expenses incurred by the other club, the referee team and the match officers, without prejudice to any possible disciplinary measures.

25.06 If the match stadium or match schedule is changed through no fault of either club, each party bears its own expenses related to the original fixture and the rescheduled match or remaining match time.

Article 26 Completion of suspended matches

26.01 If the referee decides to suspend a match and a decision is taken that the match is to be completed on a different day, the following conditions apply to the restart of the match:

1. If the match is resumed the following day, the match restarts with the same players on the field and the same listed substitutes as at the moment the match was suspended. If a player is unable to restart the match, one of the previously listed substitutes may take their place. This is considered as a substitution. If the team has used all of its substitutions by this point, no change can be made. A listed substitute who is unable to take their place on the bench cannot be replaced.

2. If the match is resumed at a later date, the match sheet may contain any of the eligible players who were on the players lists when the match was suspended, irrespective of whether they were actually on the match sheet for the suspended match, with the exception of players suspended for, substituted or sent off during the suspended match. Players who were in play at the time the match was suspended may not be selected on the match sheet as substitutes when the match is resumed.

26.02 Whether the match is resumed the following day or at a later stage, the following principles apply:

1. Any sanctions imposed before the match was suspended remain valid for the remainder of the match.

2. Single yellow cards received before the match was suspended are not carried forward to any other matches before the suspended match has been completed.

3. Players and/or team officials sent off before the match was suspended cannot be replaced; the number of players and/or team officials allowed when the match is resumed must reflect any such dismissals.

4. Players and team officials who were suspended during or in relation to another match played after the match in question was suspended can be included on the match sheet for the remainder of the match.

5. The teams can make only the number of substitutions to which they were still entitled when the match was suspended, using their remaining stoppages in play.

6. The match must restart where it was suspended (i.e. free-kick, throw-in, goal kick, corner kick, penalty, etc.). If the match was stopped with the ball in play, it is restarted with a dropped ball on the spot where it was suspended.

Article 27 Refusal to play and similar cases

27.01 If a club refuses to play or is responsible for a match (including any penalty shoot-out) not taking place or not being played in full, the UEFA disciplinary bodies declare the match forfeited by the club concerned. Moreover, if the circumstances of the case so justify, the UEFA disciplinary bodies may impose any further disciplinary measures deemed appropriate on the club concerned, including disqualification from the competition.

27.02 The UEFA disciplinary bodies can validate the result as it stood (i.e. abandon the match) at the moment when the match was suspended if the match result was to the detriment of the club responsible for the match being suspended.

27.03 If a club is disqualified or for any reason withdraws from the competition before all its matches in the league phase have been played, the results of all its matches played until that moment remain valid. A calculation of points will need to take place upon completion of the league phase to take the cancelled matches into account. Any club that has not been able to play its scheduled match against a disqualified/withdrawn club is awarded the average number of points earned by all clubs in the competition in home matches, if the affected club was due to play at home, or in away matches if the affected club was due to play away. The league phase points of all matches that have been played, including the points obtained by clubs in matches involving the disqualified/withdrawn club before their disqualification/withdrawal are not adjusted in any way, and all taken into account for the average points calculation.

27.04 A club that refuses to play or is responsible for a match not taking place or not being played in full may lose all rights to payments from UEFA, depending on the gravity of the circumstances.

27.05 Upon receipt of a reasoned and well-documented request from the aggrieved club(s), the UEFA administration may set an amount of compensation due for financial loss.

IV - Player Registration

Article 28 Player eligibility

28.01 Players are eligible to play in the competition if they fulfil all the player registration conditions throughout the competition, as set out in the present regulations.

28.02 Each player must be duly registered with their national association as playing for the club concerned in accordance with the association’s own rules and those of FIFA, notably the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

28.03 Each player taking part in the competition must be in possession of a player registration licence issued by the player's association or a valid passport or identity card, each containing the player's photograph and full date of birth (day, month, year). The referee or the UEFA match delegate may ask to see the passports/identity cards of the players listed on the match sheet.

28.04 Players are eligible to play in the competition if they were born on or after 1 January 2008, with the exception of the provisions set out in Paragraph 29.07.

28.05 All players must undergo a medical examination to the extent provided for in the UEFA Medical Regulations.

28.06 Each player may only be fielded for one single club in the course of the competition.

28.07 Any player who is fielded in three or more UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and/or UEFA Conference League matches (as of the league phase of those competitions) in the course of the 2026/27 season ceases to be eligible to play in the UEFA Youth League.

28.08 The UEFA administration decides on questions of player eligibility. Challenged decisions are dealt with by the UEFA disciplinary bodies.

Article 29 Player lists

29.01 Each club is responsible for submitting a list of a maximum of 40 players for the entire season, duly signed, to its association for verification, validation, signature and forwarding to UEFA. This list must include the surname, first name, date of birth and nationality of all players to be fielded in the competition, as well as the surname and first name of the head coach and first assistant coach. In addition, the lists must include confirmation from the team doctor that all players have undergone the requested medical examination; the team doctor is solely responsible for ensuring that the requested players’ medical examination has been duly performed.

29.02 Only players who are duly registered with UEFA by means of the player list can validly serve pending suspensions.

29.03 The club bears the legal consequences for fielding a player who is not named on the player list, or who is otherwise not eligible to play.

29.04 The list of 40 players must be submitted by 3 September 2026 (23:59 CET). No club may have more than 40 players on that list, and at least four of the listed players must be goalkeepers.

29.05 After the first matchday, the list of 40 players may be amended at any time up until seven days before a match. Any new players must be registered in accordance with the requirements set out in Article 28.

29.06 Exceptionally, up to five players born on or after 1 January 2007 may be included on the list of 40 players, provided the following criteria are fulfilled:

1. The player has been eligible to play for the club concerned without interruption for the two entire seasons immediately preceding 3 September 2026 or has been eligible to play for the club concerned for two of the three entire seasons immediately preceding 3 September 2026 and registered with a maximum of one other club from the same association for an uninterrupted period of up to one entire season for the other one.

2. The player is duly registered on the list of 40 players by 3 September 2026 in accordance with Paragraph 29.01 and Paragraph 29.04.

3. The player is not replaced on the list of 40 players, except in the event of long-term injury/illness or registration with another club. An injury or illness is considered long-term if it lasts at least 30 days as of the day the injury or illness occurred. The club must provide UEFA with the necessary medical evidence in one of UEFA's official languages. Such a change must be communicated by the deadline for amendments to the 40-player list, i.e. seven days before the next match.

4. A player who is removed from the list of 40 players due to long-term injury/illness (see Paragraph 29.06(c)) and replaced by another player born on or after 1 January 2007 cannot be re-registered upon recovery.

29.07 Each club must submit a shortlist of 20 eligible players from its list of 40 players, at least two of whom must be goalkeepers, by 23:59 CET the day before each match. No club may have more than 20 players on its shortlist before a match. This shortlist forms the list of players that the players on the match sheet are selected from (in accordance with Article 46). As a minimum, 14 places are reserved exclusively for players who have been eligible to play for the club concerned without interruption for the two entire seasons immediately preceding the match in question or have been eligible to play for the club concerned for two of the three entire seasons immediately preceding the match in question and registered with a maximum of one other club from the same association for an uninterrupted period of up to one entire season for the other one. In addition, only three of the maximum of five players born on or after 1 January 2007 that are registered on the list of 40 players in accordance with Paragraph 29.06 may be included on this shortlist of 20 players.

29.08 No outfield player may be replaced on the 20-player list. A goalkeeper may be replaced by another goalkeeper from the 40-player list at any time before submission of the match sheet, upon submission of written medical evidence of illness or injury in one of UEFA’s official languages.

29.09 The clubs and their associations are responsible for ensuring that the aforementioned provisions concerning player eligibility and player lists are observed.

29.10 With regard to the definition of a 'season' to be found in Paragraph 29.06 and Paragraph 29.07 of these regulations, as far as the determination of locally trained players is concerned, the relevant dates to be taken into account are those of the relevant domestic championship calendar as originally scheduled, i.e. the prolongation of a domestic championship calendar due to an extraordinary situation, such as in the case of the 2019/20 season, is not taken into account. Furthermore, for the 2020/21 season, the period starting with the first official match of the relevant domestic championship and ending with the last official match of that same national championship is counted as a full season regardless of the actual start and end date due to the extraordinary situation.

V - Stadium Infrastructure

Article 30 Stadiums

30.01 Unless stipulated otherwise in these regulations, matches in the competition must be played in stadiums/training centres that meet the category 1 structural criteria, as defined in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations.

30.02 The UEFA administration may set higher requirements to ensure proper TV coverage if need be.

30.03 Throughout the season, clubs have the option to request the use of an alternative stadium, including a stadium used for a UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and/or UEFA Conference League match with UEFA’s prior approval. Such requests must be made to the UEFA administration at least two weeks before the scheduled match.

30.04 UEFA decides on the stadium of the semi-finals and final.

Article 31 Pitches

31.01 The home club must make every reasonable effort to ensure that the pitch is in the best possible condition for play.

31.02 Any full or partial replacement of a pitch ahead of a match must be communicated to UEFA in advance.

31.03 For natural pitches, all clubs must respect the pitch-cutting guidelines. The height of the grass may not, in principle, exceed 30mm and the entire playing surface must be cut to the same height. The height of the grass should be the same for both the training sessions and the match. If deemed necessary by the referee or the UEFA match delegate, the home club may be required to reduce the height of the grass for the match.

31.04 The pitch-watering schedule must be communicated by the home club at the organisational meeting. The pitch must be watered evenly and not only in certain areas. As a general rule, pitch watering must finish 60 minutes before kick-off. However, upon the decision of the home club, pitch watering may also take place after that time:

1. between 10 and 5 minutes before kick-off; and/or

2. during half-time, for a maximum of 5 minutes.

The referee is entitled to request changes to the pitch-watering schedule.

31.05 All field markings and goals must be in accordance with the IFAB Laws of the Game and the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations. No additional structural elements or physical supports may be used inside the net or in its immediate surroundings other than bars fixing the goal net to the ground and goal net stanchions behind and outside the net. Portable goals must not be used.

31.06 The home club is responsible for ensuring that the area immediately adjacent to the field of play is safe for players, team officials and the referee team in accordance with the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations.

Article 32 Artificial turf

32.01 Matches may be played on artificial turf, in accordance with the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations and provided that such artificial turf is certified as FIFA Quality. By 2 June 2026, the home club must submit a copy of such certification, which must be valid for the duration of the entire competition season.

32.02 The home club is fully responsible for meeting the above requirements and, if necessary, must conclude appropriate agreements with the owner of the artificial turf, in particular those relating to:

1. maintenance work and ongoing improvement measures; and

2. safety and environmental measures as set out in the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf – Test Manual I: Test Methods and the FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf – Test Manual II: Test Requirements.

32.03 The home club must obtain sufficient warranties and/or guarantees relating to the material and the installation of the artificial turf by the owner, manufacturer and installer.

32.04 UEFA cannot be held responsible for any damages to third parties resulting from the use of the artificial turf.

Article 33 Floodlights

33.01 Matches may be played in daylight or under floodlights. For matches played under floodlights, the illuminance level must correspond to the requirements set out in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations for the relevant stadium category in accordance with Paragraph 30.01 of these regulations.

VI - Equipment

Article 34 Applicable regulations

34.01 The UEFA Equipment Regulations apply to all matches in the competition, unless specified otherwise in these regulations.

34.02 Exceptionally, the domestic equipment regulations of each team's own association apply to all matches up to and including the quarter-finals, provided that the sponsor advertising on the playing attire complies with Article 27 of the UEFA Equipment Regulations and the playing attire has been approved for and worn in domestic competition matches.

Article 35 Playing attire approval

35.01 For the semi-finals and final, sponsor advertising is allowed on playing attire in accordance with the UEFA Equipment Regulations unless the UEFA administration decides otherwise.

35.02 All teams must submit the playing attire approval form online to the UEFA administration by the given deadline.

35.03 Playing attire used as of the semi-finals must be approved by the UEFA administration. Clubs must submit samples of their first-choice and second-choice playing attires for outfield players as well as any additional playing attires and/or items of playing attire (shirt, shorts or socks) to the UEFA administration before the semi-finals.

Article 36 Colours

36.01 For all competition matches, teams must submit the agreed playing attire colours to be worn for each match via the dedicated online tool. The home team has the first choice as to which of its official sets of playing attire registered online it wears for its home matches.

Up to and including the quarter-finals, the proposed colors are validated on-site by the referee team.

36.02 For matches in the UEFA Champions League path league phase, teams are asked, whenever possible, to wear the playing attires chosen by their senior teams for the corresponding UEFA Champions League match. The playing attires chosen can be changed at the request of the clubs provided the alternative solution does not lead to colour clashes in any part of the attires.

36.03 If the referee notices on the spot that the colours of the two teams could lead to confusion, a final decision on the colours is taken in consultation with the UEFA match delegate and the UEFA administration. As a rule, in such cases it is the home team that has to change colours.

36.04 As of the semi-finals, the UEFA administration makes proposals for the playing attires to be worn. The proposals can be changed at the request of the clubs provided that the alternative solution does not lead to clashes in any part of the attires. If no agreement can be found, the UEFA administration takes a final decision.

Article 37 Numbers

37.01 Players must wear numbers between 1 and 99. If the number 1 is used, it must be worn by a goalkeeper.

37.02 A number may also appear on the front of the shorts, on either leg, in any position. This number must be between 10cm and 15cm in height and clearly legible.

Article 38 Badges

38.01 The applicable UEFA campaign badge may be worn on the free zone of the right shirt sleeve from the semi-finals onwards.

VII - Ticketing and Accreditations

Article 39 Visiting team tickets

39.01 All visiting team ticket allocations and ticketing arrangements must be agreed between the two clubs concerned.

Article 40 Accreditations

40.01 The home club must ensure that the venue data coordinator (VDC) appointed by UEFA to gather live data during the match is provided with:

1. accreditation permitting access to a commentary position (or an equivalent position) with dedicated broadband internet access, which needs to be in place from the morning of the match until 90 minutes after the final whistle; and

2. accreditation permitting access to the referees' dressing room (where not otherwise provided by UEFA).

VIII - Match Organisation

Article 41 Training sessions

41.01 The home club should prepare training facilities for the visiting club if the latter asks to train on-site. The home club should make every effort to ensure that the training pitch is of the same type as the pitch on which the match will be played, or at least is of a good standard, and that the training facility is equipped with dressing rooms able to accommodate the visiting team. This facility should be located no more than a 30-minute bus drive from the visiting club's hotel.

41.02 If the visiting team requests a cool down after the match, it must be communicated at the organisational meeting and should include all relevant information (e.g. duration, number of players, type of exercises). Such requests are subject to the approval of the home club, and, in some cases, the relevant competent authorities.

Article 42 Match equipment

42.01 The applicable official UEFA Champions League match ball provided by the UEFA administration must be used for all matches in the competition.

42.02 For all matches, a multi-ball system should be used in accordance with the protocol and guidance issued by the UEFA administration.

42.03 The UEFA Youth League centre board must be installed at all matches in the competition, in accordance with UEFA’s instructions.

42.04 The use of two-sided substitution boards (preferably electronic) is compulsory.

Article 43 Use of clocks

43.01 Stadium clocks may be used to show the amount of time played or remaining. Additional time in each half should be displayed as additional minutes, not continuously running time (i.e. 45 + x, 90 + y).

Article 44 Match protocol

44.01 The UEFA, UEFA Respect and competition flags must be flown at the stadium at all matches in the competition, together with any other flag determined by UEFA. The competition flag will be provided by UEFA to the clubs concerned in due time. All other flags will be provided to the clubs by their association.

44.02 At all matches in the competition, the players are invited to shake hands with their opponents and the referee team after the line-up ceremony as well as after the final whistle, as a gesture of fair play.

IX - Teams and Competition Area

Article 45 Teams at the stadium

45.01 Both teams must be at the stadium at least 75 minutes before kick-off.

Article 46 Match sheet

46.01 Before each match, each team must confirm, using the match sheet, which players from the 20 player shortlist will form the starting 11, as well as naming up to 11 team officials, one of whom must be a team doctor. The match sheet must indicate the number and, if applicable, the shirt name that each player will wear during the match.

46.02 The players indicated on the match sheet as forming the starting 11 commence the match. A goalkeeper and a team captain must be identified among these players.

46.03 If there are fewer than seven players on either team, the match is cancelled or suspended.

46.04 Each team must have its match sheet submitted by its competent club official at least 75 minutes before kick-off. The match sheets are automatically exchanged no earlier than 75 minutes before kick-off.

Article 47 Player replacements and substitutions

47.01 After the match sheets have been exchanged, no changes are allowed. Before the match has kicked off, the following exceptions are possible:

1. Any of the players indicated on the match sheet as forming the starting 11 who cannot start the match due to physical incapacity may be replaced by one of the substitutes listed on the match sheet.

2. If none of the goalkeepers listed on the match sheet can be fielded due to physical incapacity, they may be replaced by registered goalkeepers included on the list of 40 players.

The club concerned must provide the UEFA administration with the necessary medical certificates. Any change made to the players indicated on the match sheet as forming the starting 11 after the match sheets have been exchanged without providing due medical evidence is considered as a substitution, and the number of substitutions available to the team during the match is reduced accordingly. The replaced player may take no further part in the match.

47.02 Up to five of the substitutes listed on each team’s match sheet may take part in the match. A player who has been substituted may take no further part in the match. Each team may use a maximum of three stoppages in play to make substitutions. Substitutions made before the start of the match and during half-time do not reduce the number of stoppages in play that can be used.

47.03 Any player selected on the match sheet in line with Article 46 or replaced in line with Article 47 may be selected to undergo a doping control after the match in accordance with Annex B of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations and must remain available in the stadium for 30 minutes after the end of the match. If a doping control officer is present at the match and a player selected on the match sheet is injured or falls ill and requires treatment in hospital, the doping control officer assesses the severity of the injury or illness and decides whether the player can leave the stadium to go to hospital immediately or whether they must undergo any potential doping control first.

Article 48 Competition area

48.01 The 11 team officials and 9 substitute players indicated on the match sheet, i.e. a total of 20 people, are allowed to sit on the team bench. If the team bench provides fewer than 20 seats, the remaining seats must be accommodated to the side of each team bench (or behind if the team benches are in the stands), with access to the dressing rooms. They must be segregated from the general public and, ideally, covered. The set-up must be the same for both teams. All the substitutes and the team doctor indicated on the match sheet must be seated on the team bench during the match.

48.02 During the match, substitutes are allowed to leave the technical area to warm up in the predefined area confirmed by the referee. Five substitutes per team are allowed to warm up at the same time; however, if space does not permit, the referee may decide to limit the number of substitutes allowed to warm up simultaneously to three per team. The team fitness coach indicated on the match sheet may join the players warming up and is responsible for ensuring that the referee’s instructions are respected.

48.03 Smoking is not allowed in the competition area. This includes the use of electronic cigarettes.

48.04 The use of any electronic communication equipment and/or systems is regulated by the IFAB Laws of the Game and the relevant instructions issued. Under no circumstances may any such systems be used by teams in connection with any kind of refereeing decision or matter.

X - Refereeing

Article 49 Referee team and referee liaison officer

49.01 The General Terms and Conditions for Referees officiating at UEFA Matches apply to the referee teams appointed for the competition.

49.02 The referee team is composed of the referee, two assistant referees, the fourth official, two or more VARs (if appointed) and a reserve assistant referee (if appointed).

49.03 The referee team is taken care of by a referee liaison officer, who is an official representative of the host association.

49.04 Directly after the match, the referee validates the official match report.

Article 50 Appointment and replacement of referees

50.01 The Referees Committee appoints a referee for each match. Only referees whose names appear on the official FIFA list of referees are eligible. The rest of the referee team is, in principle, proposed by the association of the referee, in accordance with criteria established by the Referees Committee.

50.02 Any referee or assistant referee who becomes unfit to officiate, or is otherwise incapacitated before or during a match, is replaced by another member of the referee team in accordance with the principles established by the Referees Committee.

Article 51 Procedure in case of severe injury to players

51.01 In the event of a suspected concussion, the referee stops the game to allow the injured player to be assessed by the team doctor, in accordance with Law 5 of the IFAB Laws of the Game. In principle, this should take no more than three minutes, unless a serious incident requires the player to be treated on the field of play or immobilised on the field for immediate transfer to hospital (e.g. spinal injury).

51.02 Any player suffering a head injury that requires assessment for potential concussion will only be allowed to continue playing after such an assessment, upon specific confirmation by the team doctor to the referee of the player's fitness to do so.

Article 52 Video assistant referees and goal-line technology

52.01 VAR and GLT systems may be used in accordance with the IFAB Laws of the Game for the purpose of assisting the referee.

52.02 No sources or systems other than the official VAR system may be used by the referee to review replays during the match.

52.03 The VAR system may be used in all matches of the competition. The decision as to whether the VAR system is used for all or part of a specific match is at the sole discretion of the referee, and that decision is final. The non-use of the VAR system for all or part of a match, whether due to the referee's decision or technical failure or unavailability, in no way prejudices the validity of the referee's decisions, which are final in all cases.

52.04 GLT may be used in all matches to help the referee determine whether a goal has been scored. The referee's decision is final in all cases.

52.05 In the event of technical failure, matches may take place or continue without the use of GLT. The non-use of GLT for all or part of a match, whether due to the referee's decision or technical failure or unavailability, in no way prejudices the validity of the referee's decisions, which are final in all cases.

XI - Disciplinary Law and Procedures

Article 53 UEFA Disciplinary Regulations

53.01 The provisions of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations apply to all disciplinary offences committed by clubs, officials, members or other individuals exercising a function at a match on behalf of an association or club, unless the present regulations stipulate otherwise.

Article 54 Yellow and red cards

54.01 As a rule, a player or team official sent off by the referee is automatically suspended for the next match in the competition. In the event of a serious offence, the UEFA disciplinary bodies are entitled to augment this punishment, including by extending it to other competitions.

54.02 Players and team officials who receive multiple yellow cards across separate matches are suspended for the next competition match after the third yellow card, and then after any subsequent odd-numbered yellow card (i.e. fifth, seventh, etc.).

54.03 Exceptionally, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.

54.04 After a club's elimination, yellow cards and pending yellow-card suspensions expire and are not carried forward.

54.05 A pending red-card suspension that cannot be served during the current competition is carried forward to the next UEFA club competition match(es) for which the player would be otherwise eligible.

Article 55 Protests

55.01 Participating clubs are entitled to file a protest against the validity of a match result, which will be considered by the competent disciplinary body provided such protest and a proof of payment of the applicable protest fee reach UEFA within 24 hours of the end of the match in question, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

XII - Financial Provisions

Article 56 Financial rules up to and including the quarter-finals

56.01 The home club retains its revenue (revenue from ticket sales, refreshments, concessions, etc.) and pays all match organisation costs (rental of match stadium, floodlighting, rental of training facilities for the visiting team, security and medical arrangements, TV production installations, if applicable, etc.). UEFA may reimburse some of the additional costs of televised matches.

56.02 The travel and accommodation costs of the visiting club's delegation are borne by UEFA on the basis of the reimbursement policy communicated by UEFA at the start of the season. The difference between UEFA’s contribution and the actual travel and accommodation costs must be borne by the visiting club.

Article 57 Financial rules – semi-finals and final

57.01 UEFA organises the semi-finals and final and covers all related costs, including the teams' transport on-site.

57.02 The travel and accommodation costs of the four teams (with up to 31 persons in each team) are borne by UEFA on the basis of the reimbursement policy communicated by UEFA prior to the semi-finals. The difference between UEFA’s contribution and the actual travel and accommodation costs must be borne by the clubs.

57.03 For the semi-finals and final, UEFA owns all rights relating to ticketing.

XIII - Exploitation of the Commercial Rights

Article 58 Commercial rights

58.01 UEFA is the exclusive, absolute legal and beneficial owner of the commercial rights.

58.02 In the event that the home club puts in place a ticketing and media accreditation programme for its matches, the home club shall ensure that the ticketing and media accreditation terms and conditions for those matches stipulate as a minimum that:

1. no person may conduct any promotional or commercial activity at the match stadium without the prior written approval of UEFA;

2. tickets must not be used for any commercial purposes such as for promotion, advertising, use as a prize in a competition/sweepstake, or as part of a hospitality or travel package without the prior written approval of UEFA;

3. all people attending the match acknowledge that use may be made (free of charge) of their voice, image and/or likeness in still images and audio/visual transmissions relating to the match (this acknowledgement is required even if no formal ticketing programme is put in place);

4. no person attending the match may, without UEFA’s prior written approval, collect, record, transmit and/or exploit any sound, image, data, statistics and/or description of the match for any purpose other than for private use. Upon request by UEFA, the club must make every effort to provide the necessary support to enforce the aforementioned provision.

58.03 In the Media and Marketing Guidelines issued to the clubs, UEFA authorises the clubs to exploit the media and marketing rights of the competition to a certain extent and in a certain manner, and imposes certain obligations on the clubs in this respect.

XIV - Media Matters

Article 59 Media access

59.01 No representatives of the written press or audio media are allowed in the competition area or the area between the boundaries of the field of play and the spectators.

59.02 No media representatives are allowed to go on to the field of play before, during or after the match, with the exception of UEFA-approved camera crews covering the team line-ups at the start of the match and up to two UEFA-approved camera crews filming the teams after the end of the match.

59.03 Only a limited number of photographers, camera operators and production staff of the audiovisual rights-holders – all equipped with the appropriate pitch-access accreditation – are allowed to work in the area between the boundaries of the field of play and the spectators (see Annex D).

59.04 No media representatives may enter the team dressing rooms, with the following exceptions:

1. UEFA-approved audiovisual rights-holders may enter the team dressing rooms prior to the arrival of the teams to film the players' shirts and equipment.

2. Subject to the prior agreement of the clubs, UEFA-approved audiovisual rights-holders may access the team dressing rooms at an arranged time:

   1. to film a brief presentation of the dressing room; and/or

   2. to film the players inside the dressing room.

59.05 Further media requirements may be issued by the UEFA administration at any time during the competition.

Article 60 Matchday media activities

60.01 Interviews are not permitted during the match on the field of play itself or in its immediate vicinity. However, subject to the agreement of the club concerned, pre-match, half-time and post-match interviews can take place according to the following rules:

1. Interviews are allowed with coaches before the match.

2. Half-time interviews may be conducted with one of the listed team officials, subject to the agreement of their team. No players listed on the match sheet, including substitutes, may be interviewed at half-time.

3. Flash interviews take place immediately after the final whistle.

4. Clubs are also requested to make their head coach available, upon request, to other sectors of the media (e.g. written press and radio) after the match. This can be organised in a mixed zone or press conference format.

60.02 Any media equipment and personnel must be positioned in such a way that they do not present any danger to players, team officials or the referee team. The field of play itself must always be kept free of cameras, cables and media personnel, except for UEFA broadcast and media activities agreed upon in advance. Typical media equipment locations are set out in Annex D.

XV - Closing Provisions

Article 61 Implementing provisions

61.01 The UEFA administration is entrusted with the operational management of the competition and is therefore entitled to take the decisions and adopt the detailed provisions and guidelines necessary for implementing these regulations (including the UEFA Youth League Club Manual).

Article 62 Unforeseen circumstances

62.01 Any matters not provided for in these regulations, such as cases of force majeure, are settled by the UEFA General Secretary, whose decisions are final.

Article 63 Non-compliance

63.01 Non-compliance with the obligations set out in these regulations may lead to disciplinary measures in accordance with the UEFA Statutes, the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and the Procedural rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body.

Article 64 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

64.01 In the event of litigation resulting from or in relation to these regulations, the provisions regarding the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) laid down in the UEFA Statutes apply.

Article 65 Annexes

65.01 All annexes form an integral part of these regulations.

Article 66 Authoritative version

66.01 If there is any discrepancy in the interpretation of the English, French or German versions of these regulations, the English version prevails.

Article 67 Adoption and entry into force

67.01 These regulations were adopted by the UEFA Executive Committee on 11 February 2026 and came into force on 1 March 2026, with amendments approved on 20 May 2026, which came into force immediately. Further amendments were approved on 29 July 2026, which come into force immediately.

	For the UEFA Executive Committee:
	Aleksander Čeferin President	Theodore Theodoridis General Secretary
	Nyon, 29 July 2026

Annex A - 2026/27 UEFA Youth League Access List

In accordance with the UEFA Executive Committee decision taken on 20 May 2026.

Annex B - UEFA Youth League Competition System

Annex C - 2026/27 UEFA Youth League Match Dates

Annex D - Pitch Organisation

1.	Advertising boards
2.	Technical area
3.	Team benches
4.	Warm-up areas
5.	Pitchside halfway camera
6.	Host broadcaster cameras
7.	Reverse-angle cameras
8.	Additional TV cameras (reserved area of minimum 10m x 2m)
9.	Remote photo and TV cameras in front of boards
10.	Photographers
Note: Diagram shows standard pitch set-up. All details subject to individual stadium conditions. All pitchside equipment to be positioned so that it does not present any danger to the players, coaches and match officials.

Annex E - Admission Criteria Form

Club: ____________________________________________________

Member Association: _______________________________________

N.B.: 1) This form is based on Articles 4.01(b), 4.01(d), 4.01(e), 4.01(f), 4.01(g), 4.01(h), 6.01(c), 6.01(l) and 6.01(m) of the Regulations of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27, on Articles 4.01(b), 4.01(d), 4.01(e), 4.01(f), 4.01(g), 4.01(h), 6.01(c), 6.01(k) and 6.01(l) of the Regulations of the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 as well as on Articles 4.01(b), 4.01(d), 4.01(e), 4.01(f), 4.01(g), 4.01(h), 6.01(c), 6.01(k) and 6.01(l) of the Regulations of the UEFA Conference League 2026/27. It is further based on Articles 4.01(b), 4.01(d), 4.01(e), 4.01(f), 4.01(g), 6.01(c), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) of the Regulations of the UEFA Youth League 2026/27, should the club participate in this competition.

2) For the purposes of this document, UEFA club competitions are the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Conference League and the UEFA Youth League.

The above-mentioned club and the member association each respectively, hereby:

1. agree to be bound by and observe the UEFA Statutes and regulations (including the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations, the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations and the above-mentioned UEFA club competition regulations), as well as any directives and decisions taken by the competent UEFA bodies regarding the competition in question;

2. agree to recognise the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (hereinafter: the CAS) at Avenue Bergières 10, CH-1004 Lausanne, Switzerland, as provided for in the UEFA Statutes;

3. agree that any proceedings before the CAS related to admission to, participation in or exclusion from one of the above-mentioned competitions will be held in an expedited manner in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration of the CAS and with the directions issued by the CAS, including for provisional or super-provisional measures, to the explicit exclusion of any state or other court in accordance with the UEFA Statutes;

4. confirm that the club’s players and officials agree to respect the obligations stated above under points a) to c);

5. agree to comply with the rules on multi-ownership of clubs aimed at ensuring the integrity of the relevant competition as set out in Paragraph 5.01 of the above-mentioned UEFA club competition regulations and to disclose any additional information requested by UEFA in this respect at any time whether before, during or after the competition;

6. acknowledge and agree that the framework for the participation by clubs which compete in the UEFA club competitions for the cycle 2024-27 is currently set out in the relevant UEFA club competition regulations as well as the UEFA Circular Letter No.36/2023 dated 7 July 2023 and matters relating to the good functioning of the UEFA club competitions are approved by the relevant UEFA bodies (including the Club Competitions Committee and the UEFA Executive Committee) on the basis of a three-season cycle, notably: (i) the main sporting, technical, calendar and organisational matters; (ii) commercial, media and sponsorship collective selling matters; and (iii) solidarity and redistribution matters;

7. confirm that the club has not been directly and/or indirectly involved in any activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national or international level since 1 March 2016 (i.e. ten years before the entry into force of the relevant UEFA club competition regulations).

   If the club and the respective member association are unable to confirm the above, the club and the member association shall provide in the enclosed form all useful information currently in their possession which is related to any such activity involving the club (be it in relation to disciplinary or state-court proceedings and irrespective of whether such proceedings remain pending or have resulted in an acquittal or conviction of the club and/or its players and/or its officials);

8. undertake to update the UEFA administration in writing within 14 working days about any facts and information related to the admission criteria (as defined in the above-mentioned provisions of the UEFA club competition regulations) that have changed since the signature of the present form until the end of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27, the UEFA Europa League 2026/27, the UEFA Conference League 2026/27, the UEFA Youth League 2026/27 and, if the case may be, the UEFA Super Cup 2027 (including changes affecting the official entry documents) and, more specifically, about:

   1. any disciplinary procedure opened against the club and/or its players and/or its officials by the member association and/or its professional league for allegedly arranging or influencing the outcome of a match at national level;

   2. any football-related procedure opened by a state authority against the club and/or its players and/or its officials based on the criminal code;

9. acknowledge that, upon its signature, and, if admitted to the relevant competition by UEFA, this document represents binding commitments on the part of the club to UEFA;

10. acknowledge and agree that any admission of the club to the relevant competition does not imply acceptance by UEFA of the factual accuracy or completeness of the representations made herein by the club and/or the member association, specifically in relation to those matters referred to in points e) and g), and shall not act so as to preclude UEFA from bringing administrative, disciplinary or other proceedings in accordance with the UEFA Statutes and regulations.

Failure to submit to UEFA in time a complete, accurate and duly signed version of this form can lead to administrative measures and/or disciplinary measures in accordance with UEFA Statutes and regulations.

This document and the agreement set out herein is governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with UEFA Statutes and regulations and subsidiarily Swiss law. Save in respect of those matters which fall within the competence of the relevant UEFA bodies in accordance with the UEFA Statutes and regulations, any and all disputes in relation to this agreement shall be referred for resolution under the exclusive jurisdiction of CAS, to the exclusion of any state or other court.

Signed and agreed by:

On behalf of the club:

Place/Date:___________________ Signature:___________________

On behalf of the member association:

Place/Date:___________________ Signature:___________________

Enclosure: Form related to point g) above, to be filled in, if applicable, by the club and the member association