Which organization runs the UEFA Champions League? UEFA runs it. UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, is European football’s governing body and is responsible for organizing and administering the competition.
The tournament began in 1955 as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, originally featuring the champions of European domestic leagues. It was relaunched as the UEFA Champions League in 1992, with a broader format and group-stage football. UEFA remains the competition’s governing organizer, while clubs qualify through their national leagues and associations.
A common mix-up is FIFA, which governs international football globally. FIFA does not run the Champions League. The Football Association governs football in England, and CONMEBOL governs football in South America; neither organizes this European club tournament. UEFA also runs competitions such as the Europa League, the European Championship and the Women’s Champions League.
The competition’s winner is crowned European club champion and qualifies for the following season’s Champions League if necessary under UEFA’s regulations, as well as earning a place in the UEFA Super Cup.