Paris Saint-Germain claimed an emphatic Champions League triumph in the final against Inter Milan this season and now Europe’s elite are gearing up to do it all again. The best teams on the continent will go head-to-head and be determined to wrestle the trophy from the French giants. Football royalty including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus have also qualified this 2025/26 edition of the competition.

While the action is enthralling on the pitch, fans around the world enjoy placing wagers on the results, scorelines and final standings to add an extra thrill to the games. Whether you are a seasoned Champions League bettor or a relative novice keen to explore betting options on Europe’s premier tournament, this article will provide tips and guidance so that you can wager with confidence from a place of genuine authority.

Get to Grips with the Basics

Before diving into your Champions League bets in game week 1, it’s important to conduct thorough research so you know what’s what and don’t run into any surprises. Take the time to assess odds via the Betway app to see which teams are favorites heading into the competition and also look out for promotions and offers of bonuses which can be enhance your experience throughout the entirety of the season. These are particularly useful if you are just starting out as welcome bonuses allow you to make a first move without the usual financial risks associated with betting.

Over the summer break, also assess which teams have qualified so that you can start to figure out how the tournament could go during each round. While you may know all about Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli, find any new sides who could be a surprise package like Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise or Sturm Graz of Austria that could provide a shock or two in the opening phase. Be sure to read up on every team and, of course, track their recruitment heading into the new campaign so that you can weigh up their strengths and weaknesses before the Champions League kicks off.

Be Aware of how the New Format Works

UEFA introduced a new format for the Champions League at the start of last season which has completely altered the competition. The league phase replaced the group stage and was met with mixed reviews by supporters across Europe and so when wagering with the betway app, it’s important to take the switch into account.

The previous system saw eight groups of four play six games, home and away against each opponent and the top two teams would progress. However now, there are 36 teams and each side is drawn against eight different clubs in a league system. Following the completion of these games, the eight teams with the most points move straight to the last 16 while the sides in ninth through to 24th are drawn against each other for a play-off round. The clubs finished 25th and lower are eliminated and no longer drop to the Europa League.

While it has now been in a place for a full year, it’s still a smart move to monitor how teams navigate the early part of the competition. It sounds more complicated than it is but it’s still advisable to get your head around the process before making your wagers.

Tune in to Team News

When it comes to the games being played, you should always track the team news for each club so that you have a rough idea of how they are going to line-up. A manager will never reveal the eleven players he is planning to start but coaches will share details which you can use as clues to work out the most likely starting team.

Ahead of every Champions League fixtures, managers will speak to the media at a pre-match press conference and will share information around which players are sidelined through suspension or injury and who is set to return to full fitness and be in contention for a start.

So, if Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirms Erling Haaland has picked up an ankle injury in training, you can then look at the squad list and decipher who is most likely to start up front in his place. From here, you can assess how his absence could impact the side before heading to the betway app and making your bet on the score.

Play Fantasy Football

UEFA’s Champions League Fantasy Football is a great way to have fun and enjoy additional entertainment beyond the games but it can also give you a steer on the players and teams who are impressing the most each week. The aim of the pastime is to pick eleven players who will earn your side points based on what they achieve on the pitch in the real world.

Players who score, record assists and keep clean sheets will all boost their tally and this means a quick scan of the points table can swiftly alert you to the top performers which can, in turn, be used to help you make your betway app decisions for the next game week.

Follow your Head not your Heart

Overall the Champions League is one of the best football tournaments on the planet with the best teams in Europe all fighting for supremacy. It’s impossible to predict who will win when two heavyweights meet and so it is important to devise and follow strategies to make educated guesses as opposed to blind punts in the dark.