Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Four Clubs Make Champions League Debuts in 2026-27
Four football clubs will play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time this season.
The teams are Como from Italy, LASK from Austria, Sabah from Azerbaijan and Viking from Norway.
Como qualified by finishing fourth in Italy’s top league.
LASK won both the Austrian league and cup before beating Celtic in qualifying.
Sabah won its first Azerbaijani league title and also retained its national cup.
It reached the league phase after beating Hapoel Beer-Sheva in extra time.
Viking became Norwegian champions for the first time in 34 years and then passed qualifying.
Como will host RB Leipzig in its first match, while Sabah will visit Manchester United.
LASK and Viking will also begin their campaigns in the league phase, with LASK listed to play AEK Athens on 8 September.
Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking will debut in the Champions League league phase.
Como qualified after finishing fourth in Italy’s 2025/26 Serie A under coach Cesc Fàbregas.
Austrian champions LASK reached the league phase by defeating Celtic 5-4 on aggregate.
Azerbaijan’s Sabah overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Hapoel Beer-Sheva 5-2 after extra time.
Norwegian champions Viking reached the main stage after winning their first league title in 34 years.
- Who
- Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking, the four clubs making their UEFA Champions League debuts.
- What
- They will compete in the 2026/27 Champions League league phase, which contains 36 teams.
- When
- The season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday; Como and Sabah are listed to play Thursday, while LASK’s opening match is listed for 8 September.
- Where
- The clubs represent Italy, Austria, Azerbaijan and Norway, with matches including Como versus RB Leipzig and Manchester United versus Sabah at Old Trafford.
- Why
- Como qualified through a fourth-place Serie A finish; LASK, Sabah and Viking reached the league phase through domestic success and/or Champions League qualifying.
- Defending champions
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Tournament size
- 36 teams
- Debuting clubs
- Como, LASK, Sabah and Viking
- Como qualification
- Fourth in Serie A in 2025/26
- LASK qualification
- 5-4 aggregate victory over Celtic in the playoff
- Sabah qualification
- 5-2 extra-time win over Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the second leg
- Viking achievement
- First Norwegian league title in 34 years