The new European men’s club season will begin on 18 September, when the Champions League Qualification Round gets underway.
European Aquatics has introduced several changes for the upcoming season, particularly affecting the Champions League and Euro Cup qualification systems.
What has changed?
The biggest change concerns the teams finishing second and third in the leagues of Europe’s ten highest-ranked countries.
Previously, clubs eliminated from the Champions League Qualification Round dropped into the Euro Cup Qualification Round. They then had to qualify again to reach the Euro Cup Group Stage.
Under the new system, every team entering the Champions League Qualification Round is guaranteed a place in the group stage of one of Europe’s top two club competitions.
Teams that qualify will enter the Champions League Group Stage, while those eliminated will advance directly to the Euro Cup Group Stage.
This gives the runners-up from the top ten leagues a major advantage, as they are guaranteed group-stage European competition.
However, the third-placed teams from those countries have lost their automatic places in the Euro Cup Group Stage. They must now begin in the Euro Cup Qualification Round alongside the other entrants.
European Men’s Clubs Country Ranking
The top 12 countries in the 2026 European Aquatics Men’s Clubs Country Ranking are:
- Italy
- Hungary
- Spain
- Serbia
- Greece
- Croatia
- France
- Romania
- Germany
- Montenegro
- Georgia
- Turkiye
A country’s ranking determines how many clubs it can enter and where those clubs begin their European campaigns.
Champions League
Countries ranked from first to tenth may enter their national champions and runners-up.
The countries ranked 11th and 12th, Georgia and Turkiye, may enter their national champions.
The champions of the top ten countries qualify directly for the Group Stage. Every other entrant must begin in the Qualification Round.
Directly qualified for the Group Stage
The Group Stage will contain four groups of four teams.
- Ferencvaros
- Pro Recco
- Barceloneta
- Radnicki
- Olympiacos
- Mladost Zagreb
- Marseille
- Waspo 98 Hannover
- Steaua Bucharest
- Jadran Herceg Novi
Eligible for the Qualification Round
- Brescia
- Honved
- Sabadell
- Novi Beograd
- Panathinaikos
- Jadran Split
- Strasbourg
- Spandau 04
- Oradea
- Budva
- Apollon Sport Management
- Galatasaray
The champions of Georgia and Turkiye may decline their Champions League places and enter the Euro Cup instead.
However, because every Champions League qualifying entrant is now guaranteed a place in either the Champions League or Euro Cup Group Stage, both clubs have a strong incentive to enter the Champions League.
Later in the season, the teams that fail to reach the Champions League quarter-finals will transfer into the Euro Cup eighth-finals.
Euro Cup
Countries ranked from first to tenth may enter the teams finishing third and fourth in their domestic leagues.
Georgia and Turkiye, ranked 11th and 12th, may enter their top two clubs, although their champions may choose between the Champions League and Euro Cup.
Conference Cup winner De Akker also has the right to enter the Euro Cup.
Directly qualified for the Group Stage
The clubs eliminated from the Champions League Qualification Round will qualify automatically for the Euro Cup Group Stage.
A maximum of six teams can transfer from the Champions League Qualifiers. This means that at least ten clubs from the Euro Cup Qualification Round will also progress to the Group Stage.
Eligible for the Qualification Round
Italy
- Savona
- Posillipo
- De Akker
Hungary
- BVSC
- Szolnok
Spain
- Barcelona
- Terrassa
Serbia
- Sabac
- Crvena Zvezda
Greece
- Apollon
- Vouliagmeni
Croatia
- Jug
- Primorje
France
- Pays d’Aix
- Nice
Germany
- ASC Duisburg
- White Sharks Hannover
Romania
- Dinamo Bucharest
- Rapid Bucharest
Montenegro
- Primorac
- Buducnost
Turkiye
- Galatasaray
- ENKA
Georgia
- A-Polo Sport Management
- Dinamo Tbilisi
Galatasaray and A-Polo may choose whether to begin in the Champions League or Euro Cup Qualifications.
De Akker may also decline its Euro Cup place and defend its Conference Cup title instead.
Teams eliminated from the Euro Cup Qualification Round will continue in the second qualification round of the Conference Cup.
Conference Cup
Countries ranked from first to tenth may enter the clubs finishing fifth and sixth in their domestic leagues.
Georgia and Turkiye may enter three clubs finishing between third and fifth.
Countries ranked 13th and lower may enter their national champions. Those clubs may choose to enter the Challenger Cup instead.
The previous season’s Challenger Cup winner also has the right to compete in the Conference Cup.
Directly qualified for Qualification Round 2
Every club eliminated from the Euro Cup Qualification Round will enter the second round of Conference Cup qualification.
Eligible for Qualification Round 1
Italy
- Trieste
- De Akker
Hungary
- Vasas
- Szeged
Spain
- Mataro
- Sant Andreu
Serbia
- Partizan
- Valis
Greece
- Panionios
- PAOK
Croatia
- Solaris
- Zadar 1952
France
- Sete
- Montpellier
Germany
- OSC Potsdam
- Cannstatt
Romania
- CSU Oradea
- Sportul Studentesc
Montenegro
- Cattaro
Galatasaray may also enter as the defending Challenger Cup champion.
The teams finishing third, fourth and fifth in Georgia and Turkiye are eligible, along with the champions of countries ranked 13th and lower.
The number of teams advancing to the second qualification round will depend on the total number of entries.
Challenger Cup
The Challenger Cup is open to the six highest-placed clubs from countries ranked 13th and lower.
Galatasaray is also eligible as the defending champion.
Every participating team will begin in Qualification Round 1. The competition format and number of clubs progressing will be determined after the final entry list is confirmed.
Clubs from countries ranked 13th and lower that enter the Conference Cup but fail to reach its second qualification round will transfer into the Challenger Cup Qualification Round 2.
Why Galatasaray has four options
Galatasaray’s position is unusual because it won the 2026 Challenger Cup and also qualified through the Turkish league.
The club can therefore choose to begin the season in any of the four European competitions:
- Champions League
- Euro Cup
- Conference Cup
- Challenger Cup
Its final decision could affect the entry lists and qualification formats across several competitions.
The key point
The clearest winners from the new regulations are the runners-up from Europe’s ten highest-ranked leagues.
By entering the Champions League Qualifications, those clubs are now guaranteed a place in either the Champions League or Euro Cup Group Stage.
The third-placed teams face a more difficult route. Instead of entering the Euro Cup Group Stage automatically, they must now successfully negotiate the Qualification Round.
Follow Waterpolo 360 on Facebook, Instagram and X