UEFA Champions League Winners: A Complete Breakdown by Year, Club, and Final Location

In this article, I have drafted a complete list of UEFA Champions League winners, by year, club, and final location. As we explore the most iconic finals, such as those featuring some of the best strikers in the world, we’ll also highlight the recent changes to the tournament format that promise to shake things up for the 2024-25 season. Additionally, you can follow live updates on current football scores for ongoing matches and stay informed on the road to the next Champions League final.

Real Madrid: Dominating Europe with 15 Titles

When you think of the Champions League, one name stands above the rest: Real Madrid. Their dominance in the competition is unparalleled, with their latest triumph in 2024, where they beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling final at Wembley Stadium. The club’s 15th European Cup solidified their legendary status.

But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Their first few titles in the 1950s were during a time when the competition was relatively small, with fewer teams competing. However, it’s their recent resurgence, particularly from 2014 to 2024, that truly showcases their brilliance, especially in an era where the competition has grown more challenging with the inclusion of powerhouse teams from across Europe.

Did you know?

Real Madrid’s 2024 victory saw them break their own record for most titles, with their most recent success coming under manager Carlo Ancelotti, who now holds the record for most UEFA Champions League titles as a coach.

List of UEFA Champions League / European Cup finals

• 1956: Real Madrid def. Reims 4-3 in Paris
• 1957: Real Madrid def. Fiorentina 2-0 in Madrid
• 1958: Real Madrid def. AC Milan 3-2 in Brussels
• 1959: Real Madrid def. Reims 2-0 in Stuttgart
• 1960: Real Madrid def. Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in Glasgow
• 1961: Benfica def. Barcelona 3-2 in Bern
• 1962: Benfica def. Real Madrid 5-3 in Amsterdam
• 1963: AC Milan def. Benfica 2-1 in London
• 1964: Inter Milan def. Real Madrid 3-1 in Vienna
• 1965: Inter Milan def. Benfica 1-0 in Milan
• 1966: Real Madrid def. Partizan Belgrade 2-1 in Brussels
• 1967: Celtic def. Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon
• 1968: Manchester United def. Benfica 4-1 in London
• 1969: AC Milan def. Ajax 4-1 in Madrid
• 1970: Feyenoord def. Celtic 2-1 in Milan
• 1971: Ajax def. Panathinaikos 2-0 in London
• 1972: Ajax def. Inter Milan 2-0 in Rotterdam
• 1973: Ajax def. Juventus 1-0 in Belgrade
• 1974: Bayern Munich def. Atletico Madrid 1-1, 4-0 in Brussels
• 1975: Bayern Munich def. Leeds 2-0 in Paris
• 1976: Bayern Munich def. Saint-Etienne 1-0 in Glasgow
• 1977: Liverpool def. Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 in Rome
• 1978: Liverpool def. Club Brugge 1-0 in London
• 1979: Nottingham Forest def. Malmo 1-0 in Munich
• 1980: Nottingham Forest def. Hamburg 1-0 in Madrid
• 1981: Liverpool def. Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris
• 1982: Aston Villa def. Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam
• 1983: Hamburg def. Juventus 1-0 in Athens
• 1984: Liverpool def. AS Roma 1-1 (4-2 pens) in Rome
• 1985: Juventus def. Liverpool 1-0 in Brussels
• 1986: Steaua Bucharest def. Barcelona 0-0 (2-0 pens) in Seville
• 1987: Porto def. Bayern Munich 2-1 in Vienna
• 1988: PSV Eindhoven def. Benfica 0-0 (6-5 pens) in Stuttgart
• 1989: AC Milan def. Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in Barcelona
• 1990: AC Milan def. Benfica 1-0 in Vienna
• 1991: Red Star Belgrade def. Marseille 0-0 (5-3 pens) in Bari
• 1992: Barcelona def. Sampdoria 1-0 in London
• 1993: Marseille def. AC Milan 1-0 in Munich
• 1994: AC Milan def. Barcelona 4-0 in Athens
• 1995: Ajax def. AC Milan 1-0 in Vienna
• 1996: Juventus def Ajax 1-1 (4-2 pens) in Rome
• 1997: Borussia Dortmund def. Juventus 3-1 in Munich
• 1998: Real Madrid def. Juventus 1-0 in Amsterdam
• 1999: Manchester United def. Bayern Munich 2-1 in Barcelona
• 2000: Real Madrid def. Valencia 3-0 in Saint-Denis
• 2001: Bayern Munich def. Valencia 1-1 (5-4 pens) in Milan
• 2002: Real Madrid def. Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 in Glasgow
• 2003: AC Milan def. Juventus 0-0 (3-2 pens) in Manchester
• 2004: Porto def. AS Monaco 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen
• 2005: Liverpool def. AC Milan 3-3 (3-2 pens) in Istanbul
• 2006: Barcelona def. Arsenal 2-1 in Saint-Denis
• 2007: AC Milan def. Liverpool 2-1 in Athens
• 2008: Manchester United def. Chelsea 1-1 (6-5 pens) in Moscow
• 2009: Barcelona def. Manchester United 2-0 in Rome
• 2010: Inter Milan def. Bayern Munich 2-0 in Madrid
• 2011: Barcelona def. Manchester United 3-1 in London
• 2012: Chelsea def. Bayern Munich 1-1 (4-3 pens) in Munich – Recap
• 2013: Bayern Munich def. Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in London – Recap, analysis
• 2014: Real Madrid def. Atletico Madrid 4-1 in Lisbon – Recap, analysis
• 2015: Barcelona def. Juventus 3-1 in Berlin – Recap, analysis
• 2016: Real Madrid def. Atletico Madrid 1-1 (5-3 pens) in Milan – Recap, analysis
• 2017: Real Madrid def. Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff – Recap, analysis
• 2018: Real Madrid def. Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev – Recap, analysis
• 2019: Liverpool def. Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid – Recap, analysis + Three things learned
• 2020: Bayern Munich def. Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in Lisbon – Recap, analysis
• 2021: Chelsea def. Manchester City 1-0 in Porto – Recap, analysis
• 2022: Real Madrid def. Liverpool 1-0 in Saint-Denis – Recap, 3 things + on-site analysis
• 2023: Manchester City def. Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul – Recap, analysis
• 2024: Real Madrid def. Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in London – Recap, analysis + Player ratings
• 2025: May 31 in Munich

The Top UEFA Champions League Winners

While Real Madrid may sit at the top, other football giants have had their moments of glory. Here’s a look at the clubs that have consistently dominated Europe:

• AC Milan: 7 titles
• Bayern Munich: 6 titles
• Liverpool: 6 titles
• Barcelona: 5 titles
• Ajax: 4 titles

Each of these teams has contributed to the rich tapestry of the Champions League, producing unforgettable finals and showcasing the talents of some of the world’s best footballers.

AC Milan: Italian Glory on the European Stage

AC Milan is Italy’s most successful team in the Champions League, with their last triumph coming in 2007. Their seven victories span multiple eras of the competition, from the early successes in the 1960s to the iconic finals in the 1990s and 2000s.

Recent Changes to the UEFA Champions League Format (2024-25 Season)

For the 2024-25 season, UEFA has introduced a revamped Champions League format, which shakes up the traditional group stage model. This shift aims to increase competition, unpredictability, and excitement, making the tournament more competitive than ever before.

Instead of the traditional eight groups of four teams, the new format will see a single “league phase” where each team plays 10 matches against different opponents. This overhaul is expected to keep fans engaged throughout the group stages by increasing the number of high-stakes matches.

Key Changes:

• League Phase replaces group stages.
• Teams will play more matches, leading to a more diverse set of opponents.
• The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in playoffs to advance.

This new setup is expected to bring even more thrilling moments to Europe’s premier club competition, especially as teams adapt to this new challenge.

Iconic Champions League Finals

Some finals go beyond mere matches—they become legendary. From late comebacks to penalty shootout drama, these are the finals that have made Champions League history.

2005: Liverpool’s Miracle in Istanbul

When Liverpool faced AC Milan in 2005, few could have predicted the drama that was to unfold. Trailing 3-0 at halftime, Liverpool staged one of the greatest comebacks in football history, leveling the game before winning on penalties. This iconic match still lives on as one of the most unforgettable moments in football history.

1999: Manchester United’s Last-Gasp Victory

Another final that will never be forgotten is Manchester United’s dramatic win against Bayern Munich in 1999. Trailing for most of the game, two last-minute goals in stoppage time saw United complete a historic treble, with Ole Gunnar Solskjær netting the winner.

Key Players Who Have Made Champions League History

From the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo to the magic of Lionel Messi, many players have left their mark on this prestigious tournament. Ronaldo, with his record 140+ goals in the competition, is the all-time leading scorer, while Messi has dazzled fans with his unmatched dribbling and playmaking abilities.

Let’s not forget the legends of the past like Paolo Maldini, who captained AC Milan to multiple triumphs, or Zinedine Zidane, whose volley in the 2002 final is still considered one of the best goals in Champions League history.

Clubs Who Have Won the Most European Cups

1. Real Madrid, 15
2. AC Milan, 7
3. Bayern Munich, 6
4. Liverpool, 6
5. Barcelona, 5
6. Ajax, 4
7. Inter Milan, 3
8. Manchester United, 3
9. Juventus, 2
10. Benfica, 2
11. Chelsea, 2
12. Nottingham Forest, 2
13. Porto, 1
14. Hamburg, 1
15. Steaua Bucharest, 1
16. Marseille, 1
17. Borussia Dortmund, 1
18. Manchester City, 1
19. Feyenoord, 1
20. Aston Villa, 1
21. PSV Eindhoven, 1
22. Red Star Belgrade, 1

Clubs that Have Appeared in the Most European Cup Finals?

1. Real Madrid, 18
2. AC Milan, 11
3. Bayern Munich, 11
4. Liverpool, 10
5. Juventus, 9
6. Barcelona, 8
7. Benfica, 7
8. Inter Milan, 6
9. Manchester United, 5
10. Chelsea, 3
11. Atletico Madrid, 3
12. Borussia Dortmund, 3
13. Porto, 2
14. Reims, 2
15. Valencia, 2
16. Celtic, 2
17. Hamburg, 2
18. Steaua Bucharest, 2
19. Marseille, 2
20. Nottingham Forest, 2
21. Manchester City, 2
22. Feyenoord, 1
23. Aston Villa, 1
24. PSV Eindhoven, 1
25. Red Star Belgrade, 1
26. Fiorentina, 1
27. Eintracht Frankfurt, 1
28. Partizan Belgrade, 1
29. Panathinaikos, 1
30. Leeds United, 1
31. Saint-Etienne, 1
32. Borussia Monchengladbach, 1
33. Club Brugge, 1
34. Malmo, 1
35. AS Roma, 1
36. Sampdoria, 1
37. Bayer Leverkusen, 1
38. AS Monaco, 1
39. Arsenal, 1
40. Tottenham Hotspur, 1
41. Paris Saint-Germain, 1

Conclusion

As the 2024-25 season kicks off with a new format and a fresh set of contenders, one thing is clear: the UEFA Champions League will continue to be the stage where football history is written. With teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and AC Milan setting the standard, and new clubs rising to the challenge, the competition remains the ultimate prize in club football.

Whether you’re a fan of the underdog stories or the dominant powerhouses, there’s no denying that the Champions League is where the heart of football beats the strongest.

Love diving into the rich history of the UEFA Champions League? Stay ahead of the game by exploring our complete breakdown of every winner by year, club, and final location! Whether you’re reminiscing about iconic matches or getting ready for the next thrilling season, don’t miss a beat.

If you’re passionate about the sport, explore our list of the best football teams of all time and see how they compare to Champions League giants. Or, dive deeper into individual brilliance by checking out our article on the best strikers in the world.

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