UEFA Champions League Glossary

Essential Terms & Definitions for Football's Elite Competition

Welcome to our comprehensive UEFA Champions League glossary, your ultimate guide to understanding the terminology of Europe's premier club football competition. Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the beautiful game, this glossary will help you navigate the unique language of the Champions League.

A

Aggregate Score

Total goals scored over two legs in knockout rounds, determining which team advances.

Away Goals Rule

Formerly used tie-breaker awarding advancement to the team scoring more goals in away matches (abolished since the 2021–22 season).

B

Bracket

Visual representation of knockout rounds showing matchups and progression toward the final.

C

Champions League Anthem

Iconic hymn played before Champions League matches, written by Tony Britten.

Coefficient (UEFA Coefficient)

UEFA's ranking system determining club and league standings in European competitions.

D

Draw

Official ceremony held by UEFA to determine group stage and knockout round matchups.

E

Extra Time

Two additional 15-minute periods played to break a tie in knockout stages if teams remain level after 90 minutes.

F

Final

The concluding match of the Champions League determining the champion.

Fixture

Scheduled match between two teams.

G

Group Stage

First round of the tournament consisting of eight groups with four teams each, played round-robin style.

H

Hat-Trick

Achievement by a player scoring three goals in a single Champions League match.

K

Knockout Stage

Phase after the group stage where teams compete in two-legged ties, advancing by aggregate goals.

L

Leg

Each of two matches played between two teams in knockout rounds (home leg and away leg).

M

Matchday

Specific date when Champions League matches occur.

N

Neutral Venue

Stadium not belonging to either competing team, often used for the final.

O

Own Goal

Goal unintentionally scored into a team's own net by its player, credited to the opposing team.

P

Penalty Shootout

Method used to determine a winner if scores remain level after extra time.

Pot

Groupings used during draws to separate teams based on seeding or country restrictions.

Q

Qualification Rounds

Preliminary rounds determining final entrants into the Champions League group stage.

R

Round of 16

First knockout round following the group stage, consisting of 16 teams.

S

Second Leg

Second of two matches played in knockout rounds, crucial in deciding aggregate scores.

Semi-Final

Round preceding the final, consisting of four remaining teams.

T

Treble

Winning three major trophies in a single season, commonly a domestic league, domestic cup, and the Champions League.