UEFA Champions League

The UEFA Champions League (aka European Cup, UCL, CE1, C1 or CL) is a continental football competition held annually for the top European clubs, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). The tournament began in 1955 as a continental competition for winners of the European national football leagues, as the European Cup. It is open to the league champions of all UEFA members, as well as to the clubs finishing from 2nd to 4th position in the strongest leagues. The number of places and specific stage entry in the competition depends on the association's rank in the UEFA coefficients table. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is considered the most prestigious continental club trophy in football.