It will be a gruelling eight weeks for many sides, as most of the 52 teams will be required to play at least six games just to join Europe's elite in the league phase draw in late August. Ahead of this summer's action, here are three things to look out for.
New names break the mould
One thing that is a regular theme in UCL qualifying is seeing some of the same names. However, last campaign saw multiple surprise champions across Europe.
Debut sides include Sabah Baku, winners of the Azeri title for the first time, Belarus' ML Vitebsk, Atert Bissen from Luxembourg, Kauno Zalgiris of Lithuania, and Sweden's Mjallby. NEC are also making their maiden appearance in the UCL, having finished third in the Eredivisie.
There are also a few teams playing in the competition for the first time under its current guise. Others like AGF Aarhus (Denmark), Gornik Zabrze (Poland), and CS Universitatea Craiova (Romania) participated in the European Cup, but not the Champions League, meaning they had to wait more than 30 years to make a return.
See all of the sides who will participate in the UEFA Champions League next season
Even some more historic teams, who have played in the UCL before, are back after a lengthy absence. Levski Sofia ended Ludogorets' reign in Bulgaria. Their last showing came in 2009/10, when they reached the playoff round.
Heart of Midlothian, who nearly won the Scottish title, are back after two decades away. Switzerland's surprising champions FC Thun are also making their return after their only other appearance in 2005/06 saw them reach the group stage.
With so many debutants participating this term, along with some who are coming back after a lengthy period away, we are good for some really interesting storylines.
Champions Path open
In the qualifying rounds, teams are split into two paths: the Champions Path, and the League Path. The former, as the name suggests, are for sides who won the domestic league, while the latter are from some of the higher ranked leagues that have multiple entrants.
The Champions Path looks set to be quite exciting this summer. Of the 42 teams involved, 38 of them will take the field in July, meaning they must navigate three or four rounds.
But perhaps the more intriguing thing here is that the Champions Path feels more open than previous years. Of course, the fact that there are so many first-timers plays a part. As a result of this, there are fewer regulars involved. Teams like Ferencvaros, Qarabag, Ludogorets, FC Kobenhavn, and Young Boys are not involved.
This leaves fans primed for at least one new name making the league phase at the end of August. Last summer saw two surprises, with Pafos and Kairat making it through to the main rounds.
There are still some established names in this path, including former European Cup winners Celtic and Crvena zvezda, as well as Dinamo Zagreb and Slovan Bratislava. All of them have played in the league phase within the last two years, and will be heavily favoured to get back there.
Yet, expect some more chaos, some more upsets, and at least one new name out of the five who successfully negotiate this arduous path.
League Path provides potential for chaos
Over the last few years, the League Path of qualifying has seen 10 or 11 big-name clubs go at it in three rounds of pure drama for just two places.
This summer, the contrast could not have been greater. There is a fascinating mix of clubs involved, from recent participants in the league phase, sides trying to qualify for the first time, to those who are awaiting a return after some time away.
NEC, Hearts, and Gornik Zabrze will be the underdogs, with the latter two aiming to at least reach the league phase of one of the competitions. Starting in the second qualifying round, Hearts and Gornik will need to win at least one tie - having three cracks at it - in order to be playing in Europe come the fall. NEC, on the other hand, will play in a group phase for just the second time in their history.
Meanwhile, Lyon are making their first appearance in the UCL at any round since reaching the semi-finals in 2019/20. They will be desperate to be back among Europe's elite. The same can be said for Fenerbahce, who have not qualified for the group phase since 2008/09. In that time, they have faltered in qualifying nine times, including last term.
Sturm Graz and Sparta Praha were last in the UCL proper in 2024/25, two years ago, and will be contenders to make a comeback. The former disappointed in the Europa League, while the latter enjoyed a solid run in the Conference League.
Yet for Union Saint-Gilloise, Olympiacos Piraeus, and Bodo/Glimt, they all featured in the league phase last fall. The Norwegians went as far as the round of 16 in what was an incredible run. The other two were direct entrants, having won the Belgian and Greek titles, respectively. Going into the qualifiers, it is already certain that at least one of them will have to be satisfied with UEL football.
While the League Path will not start until the second half of the month, we are set for some enthralling action on this side of qualification.
Follow everything that takes place during the UEFA Champions League qualifiers on Flashscore.
