The recently concluded 2024/25 Champions League season was thrilling, with big teams across Europe going head-to-head. At the end of the competition, Paris Saint-Germain were victorious, claiming their first-ever Champions League title.
Looking forward, the 2025/26 season also promises plenty of fun and great Champions League odds. Qualification runs from early July to late August 2025, and the League Phase kicks off on 16 September. The knockout phases come after, and the final will be played in Budapest on 30 May 2026.
If you're considering looking at the football odds for the Champions League winner, the Paris Saint-Germain team might be good enough to defend their trophy against teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Barcelona. The recently revived Chelsea could be a surprise contender with new, exciting player additions.
How to Bet on the Champions League
Before betting on Champions League outcomes, it is helpful to understand the tournament's format so you know what to expect.
Champions League Structure
The Champions League is Europe's top club competition, ahead of the Europa League and the Conference League.
The Champions League format features 82 teams selected from the member associations, a number which is eventually reduced to 36.
Of the 36 teams, 29 are selected based on their performance in the previous year, while the remaining 7 teams qualify through the qualification and play-off rounds.
Each of the 36 teams plays 8 matches in the competition's League Phase, and the top 8 teams qualify for the knockout stages. The 16 teams from 9th to 24th position compete in the Knockout Phase play-offs, and the 8 winners join the already-qualified top 8 teams in the Round of 16.
The Round of 16 is followed by the Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and ultimately, the Final, where the champion of Europe is crowned.
Champions League Markets
Among the markets for the Champions League winner odds, some common options are 'Match Winner,' 'Number of Goals,' and 'Outright.' Find out more about these bets below.
Match Result (1X2)
What are the odds Champions League teams have of winning, drawing, or losing a match? This is perhaps the most common bet type among players, because it directly tries to predict the match winner.
You can either predict that the home team will win (1), the match will end in a draw (X), or the away team will win (2).
Number of Goals (Over/Under)
The number of goals to be scored in a match is another bet Champions League fans tend to enjoy. You can study both teams' match history and recent form and attempt to guess how many goals will be scored in the game. Here's how the bet works:
- If you bet 'Over 2.5,' your bet wins if the total goals are more than 3, but you lose if they are less than 2.
- If you bet 'Under 2.5,' your bet wins if the total goals are less than 2, but you lose if they are more than 3.
Outright Bets
Outright bets are special odds Champions League fans find interesting, as they attempt to predict the results at the end of the tournament. You can either bet on the exact team that will win the competition, which country the winner will be from, or which teams will reach the final.
Betting Tips for Champions League Games
Here are some useful betting tips that you can find helpful while wagering on the Champions League.
- Set a betting budget to avoid overspending or losing too much money.
- Check out match statistics like player form, team form, and head-to-head record.
- If you are having a bad spell, avoid chasing losses. Instead, take a break and come back later.
- Consider advice from tipsters with a good track record of correct predictions.
Why Bet on the Champions League at Betsmith?
Betting on Champions League games can be a great experience for you because of the high-level gameplay in the competition. The League Phase alone has 144 matches, and combined with the Knockout phases, there are many games where you can potentially win big.
Betsmith offers competitive Champions League odds that give you high payouts, as well as live betting for games after they begin.
Champions League Betting History
Over the years, the Champions League gave the fans some of the most exciting football games ever. The first one that comes to mind is the finals between Milan and Liverpool, held in Istanbul in 2005.
After Milan's 3-0 lead in the first half, Liverpool came out with a vengeance, put up three goals of their own, took the game to penalties and shocked the live football odds. Their goalkeeper marked himself in history by saving the crucial shots, giving Liverpool their fifth Champions League title.
PSG and Barcelona also held a duel in recent years that stunned the fans. After a solid 4-0 win at home, PSG fans expected a smooth second part of the matchup and to advance to the quarterfinals. However, Barca's 6-1, last-minute victory shocked the world and took the Spanish team to the next stage.
Champions League Betting Tips
To get the most out of your bets, ensure you're playing with a quality provider. At Betsmith, you'll find the best odds and markets available, so making predictions will be as straightforward as it gets.
Experience betting worry-free at a reliable sportsbook and casino, and enjoy all the benefits of Betsmith.
FAQs
Can I bet on the Champions League winner?
Yes! Outright bets are available at Betsmith, and you can bet on the winner of the Champions League.
Can I place live bets on Champions League games?
Yes! Betsmith offers live odds during Champions League games.
Can I add multiple football games to a parlay at Betsmith?
Yes! Creating multi-leg football parlays is permitted at Betsmith.