Most UEFA Champions League/European Cup titles by Country (All-Time)

The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club football competition in Europe — and arguably the world. Since its inception in 1955 as the European Cup, it has crowned the finest clubs in the game and given rise to unforgettable footballing legacies. But which nations have dominated this elite tournament the most? And which Countries with Most UEFA Champions League Titles?

As of today, clubs from 10 different countries have lifted the Champions League trophy. But when we examine the countries with the most titles, we also uncover stories of glory and heartbreak.

Take Italy, for example. Italian clubs have reached the final a record 30 times — more than any other country. Yet they’ve only managed 12 victories, suffering a painful 18 defeats in the final. England and Germany, meanwhile, have also tasted both triumph and disappointment, each losing 11 finals despite significant success.

On the other side, countries like Greece, Belgium, Sweden, and the Czech Republic have reached the final but never claimed the ultimate prize. Clubs like Slavia Prague have come close, but still await their moment of European glory.

In this article, we break down the most successful countries in UEFA Champions League history, ranking them by the total number of titles, final appearances, and historic impact.

So whether you’re searching for the most Champions League wins by country or exploring the historical trends of European dominance, this list has everything you need.

Countries with most UEFA Champions League titles

Here are the top 10 countries ranked by their number of UEFA Champions League/European Cup titles, based on victories through the 2025 final:

1. Spain – (20 Titles)

Spain leads the all-time list with 20 UEFA Champions League titles, making it the most successful country in the competition’s history. The vast majority of these have come from Real Madrid, who have claimed a record-breaking 15 titles. Their dominance spans eras — from winning the first five editions (1956–1960) to their modern dynasty with victories in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024.

Barcelona have also played a crucial role in Spain’s European legacy, securing 5 titles. Their first came in 1991–92, and the iconic “tiki-taka” era brought them further glory in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015.

Together, these two giants have helped establish Spain’s dominance in Europe. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid has added to Spain’s European pedigree with three runner-up finishes.

In total, Spain leads all nations in both Champions League titles (20) and final appearances (31).

2. England – (15 Titles)

Six different English clubs have won a combined total of 15 UEFA Champions League (formerly European Cup) titles, showcasing the country’s long-standing impact on European football.

Liverpool is the most successful English club in the competition’s history with six titles, secured in 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84, 2004–05, and 2018–19. Manchester United follows with three triumphs in 1967–68, 1998–99, and 2007–08.

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have each won the tournament twice, with Chelsea victorious in 2011–12 and 2020–21, while Forest claimed back-to-back titles in 1978–79 and 1979–80. Aston Villa won their sole European crown in 1981–82, and Manchester City claimed their first in 2022–23.

Notably, English clubs dominated European football during the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning seven titles in just eight seasons—a golden era for English teams on the continental stage.

3. Italy – (12 Titles)

Italian clubs have reached the UEFA Champions League final a record 30 times, but have secured the trophy on just 12 occasions. AC Milan is Italy’s most successful club in the competition, winning seven titles in 1962–63, 1968–69, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1993–94, 2002–03, and 2006–07.

Inter Milan is the last Italian team to win the UEFA Champions League. Inter Milan have lifted the trophy three times: in 1963–64, 1964–65, and most recently in 2009–10. Juventus, despite reaching the final on nine occasions, have only won the tournament twice—in 1984–85 and 1995–96—and hold the record for most runners-up finishes (seven).

Italian clubs were particularly dominant between 1985 and 1996, appearing in nine finals during that period. However, in more recent years, Italian teams have faced disappointment on the big stage, with Inter Milan losing to Manchester City in the 2022–23 final and to Paris Saint-Germain in 2024–25.

4. Germany – (8 Titles)

Germany ranks third among countries with the most UEFA Champions League titles, having won the competition eight times. The majority of these victories come from Bayern Munich, who have claimed the trophy six times—in 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 2000–01, 2012–13, and 2019–20. Hamburg (1982–83) and Borussia Dortmund (1996–97) have each added one title to Germany’s tally.

German clubs have reached the final 19 times, showcasing their consistency at the top level, but they have also endured frequent heartbreaks. Bayern Munich alone have lost five finals, including dramatic defeats to English clubs such as Manchester United in 1998–99 and Chelsea in 2011–12, both remembered for their last-minute twists.

5. Netherlands – (6 Titles)

Dutch clubs have won the UEFA Champions League six times, with Ajax leading the way as the most successful Dutch team. Ajax claimed the title four times—in 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, and 1994–95—while Feyenoord (1969–70) and PSV Eindhoven (1987–88) have each lifted the trophy once.

The Netherlands experienced a golden era in European football during the 1970s and 1980s, when its clubs were considered continental powerhouses.

Ajax’s three consecutive titles from 1971 to 1973, playing under the philosophy of Total Football, remain iconic in football history. The club’s triumph in 1995 stands as the last time a team from outside Europe’s “Big Five” leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) won the Champions League.

6. Portugal – (4 Titles)

Portugal has won the UEFA Champions League four times, with the titles evenly split between Benfica and Porto. Benfica claimed back-to-back victories in 1960–61 and 1961–62, led by the legendary Eusébio, while Porto triumphed in 1986–87 and again in 2003–04.

The latter was one of the most remarkable campaigns in modern football history, as a young José Mourinho led an unfancied Porto side to European glory.

With tactical brilliance, team unity, and fearless football, Mourinho’s Porto defied the odds—eliminating giants like Manchester United and reaching the final, where they defeated AS Monaco 3–0.

Benfica have also finished as runners-up five times, with their string of near-misses often attributed to the so-called “curse of Bela Guttmann,” known locally as “O Grito”.

Despite operating in a relatively small domestic league, both Benfica and Porto have played a vital role in establishing Portugal as a respected force in European football.

7. France – (2 Titles)

France has claimed two UEFA Champions League titles, with victories coming from Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. Marseille made history in 1992–93 by becoming the first French club to win the competition, defeating AC Milan 1–0 in the final.

For years, that remained France’s only triumph, as several clubs came close but fell just short. Monaco enjoyed a memorable run to the final in 2003–04, knocking out Real Madrid and Chelsea before losing to José Mourinho’s Porto in the final.

Paris Saint-Germain, after heavy investment and several near-misses—including a narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2019–20 final—finally reached the summit in 2024–25, delivering a record-breaking 5–0 win over Inter Milan in one of the most dominant finals in tournament history.

8. Scotland – (1 Title)

Celtic made history in the 1966–67 season by becoming the first British club to win the European Cup, and remain Scotland’s only winners of the competition.

In the final, they defeated Inter Milan 2–1, playing bold, attacking football against one of Europe’s most defensive teams.

Before Celtic’s triumph, Rangers had already come close to European glory, reaching the European Cup semi-finals in 1959–60, where they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in a memorable two-legged tie.

9. Romania – (1 Title)

Steaua Bucharest won Romania‘s only Champions League title in the 1985–86 season. Steaua defeated Barcelona in a historic shootout. An unknown team fulfilled its miraculous dream. Helmut Ducadam saved all four of Barcelona’s penalties, a record that will probably never be broken.

10. Serbia – (1 Title)

Serbia’s Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup titles in the 1990–91 season, a remarkable achievement for the club and the country. It has become a legendary chapter in Serbian football history. They won 5–3 on penalties against Marseille.

All-Time Ranking: UEFA Champions League Titles by Country

For a complete finals list, see UEFA Champions League Winners.