Why Liverpool vs Real Madrid cannot happen next season in the Champions League

For years, Liverpool versus Real Madrid has been Europe’s most reliable heavyweight collision. Finals in 2018 and 2022. Back-to-back knockout meetings. This week, another showdown at Anfield. But after that, UEFA is pressing pause.

And yes, it is official. If both clubs qualify for the Champions League next season, they cannot be drawn together in the league phase. Here is why.

The rule behind the “ban”

This is not drama. This is regulation.

UEFA’s Article 16.03 states that two clubs cannot be paired with the same home team for three straight Champions League seasons in the league-phase era.

UEFA wrote:

“Any individual fixture between the same two teams may not be repeated in the same competition with the same home team for three consecutive seasons.”

Source: Official UEFA Champions League Regulations, Article 16.03.

Since Liverpool and Real Madrid were paired last season and again this season with the same home fixture sequence, they cannot receive the same draw next season.

In simple terms: no repeat of Liverpool at home to Real Madrid in 2026-27.

They could still meet in knockouts, but not in the league-phase draw.

Why this rule exists

This is part of UEFA’s effort to add variety under the new league-phase format. With 36 teams and a Swiss-style schedule, clubs should rotate opponents instead of repeating “marquee” matchups year after year.

UEFA wants:

• more unique pairings

• fewer predictable draws

• more diversity in matchups across Europe

In other words, fans get Real vs Liverpool… but not every year, same venue, same chapter.

What this means for fans

If both qualify, Liverpool and Real Madrid will be kept apart in the league-phase draw next season. After two straight campaigns of seeing Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah share the stage, Europe will get a breather.

Knockouts? Still possible. Group stage? Not anymore.

The rivalry goes on. Just with a one-season timeout from UEFA.

Big picture

The new Champions League system is changing long-standing traditions. Fewer repeat fixtures. Broader storytelling. More European diversity.

But let’s be honest: whether it is in a final, quarterfinal, or another thriller at Anfield or the Bernabéu… football always finds a way to bring these two giants back together.

And when it does, the world will stop again.