The 2020s began with a final without a single spectator and, by 2026, have already produced seven finals full of twists. The pandemic and a war moved the final's venue three times, Real Madrid reached 15 titles and Paris Saint-Germain went from their first trophy to back-to-back wins. Here they all are, together with the shirts they wore.
2020 · Lisbon: Bayern – Paris Saint-Germain 1-0
On 23 August 2020, at the Estádio da Luz, the final was played behind closed doors because of COVID-19. The only goal was a 59th-minute header by Kingsley Coman, from a Kimmich cross.
The irony was huge: Coman is a Parisian who grew up in PSG's academy. Bayern won all 11 of their games in the competition, a first for a European club, and completed their second treble.
In a silent stadium only the voices of players and benches could be heard, a picture no final had ever seen before.
2021 · Porto: Chelsea – Manchester City 1-0
The final was scheduled for Istanbul, but pandemic travel restrictions sent it to the Estádio do Dragão, with only 14,110 fans. On 42', Kai Havertz took Mount's pass, went round Ederson and rolled the ball into the net.
It was a final between two clubs that love blue. Thomas Tuchel, who had lost the 2020 final with PSG, became the first coach to reach successive finals with different clubs, while N'Golo Kanté was named man of the match.
2022 · Paris: Real Madrid – Liverpool 1-0
The final had been given to Saint Petersburg, but after Russia's invasion of Ukraine it moved to the Stade de France. Chaos at the gates delayed kick-off by 36 minutes, and the French authorities later apologised to Liverpool fans.
On the pitch, Thibaut Courtois made nine saves, a record for a final, and Vinícius scored on 59' from a Valverde cross. Both teams wore their 2021-22 kits: Liverpool's red against Real's white, as Madrid took their 14th title.
2023 · Istanbul: Manchester City – Inter 1-0
Istanbul finally got its final on 10 June 2023, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. Rodri scored on 68' from a Bernardo Silva pass, giving City their first title and the treble. Pep Guardiola became the first coach with two European trebles.
Before the game, Inter asked UEFA to wear their black and blue, as they had in Madrid in 2010, even though City, as the home side, would wear sky blue. UEFA ruled there was no risk of confusion and said yes.
2024 · London: Real Madrid – Dortmund 2-0
At Wembley, on 1 June 2024, Dortmund had the better chances in the first half, with Füllkrug hitting the woodwork. But Dani Carvajal headed in a Kroos corner (74') and Vinícius made it 2-0 (83').
It was Real's 15th title and a record fifth for Carlo Ancelotti. Dortmund wore their yellow cup shirt with black graphics, Real their white one with gold details.
With this win Carvajal, Kroos, Modrić and Nacho reached six European titles, matching the legendary Paco Gento. Real also became the first club to win the Champions League unbeaten.
2025 · Munich: Paris Saint-Germain – Inter 5-0
On 31 May 2025, at the Allianz Arena, Luis Enrique's PSG crushed Inter. The scorers were Hakimi (12'), Désiré Doué twice (20', 63'), Kvaratskhelia (73') and youngster Senny Mayulu (86'). It was the biggest winning margin in a final of the competition.
PSG wore their navy shirt with the red and white stripe down the middle. Inter, unable to wear their black and blue, picked their golden yellow third kit over the white one, as they had not lost in it in Europe that season. The superstition did not work.
PSG became the second French club to lift the trophy after Marseille in 1993 and completed the first treble by a French side. Luis Enrique became the second coach with two trebles, after Guardiola.
2026 · Budapest: Paris Saint-Germain – Arsenal 1-1 (4-3 pens)
On 30 May 2026, at the Puskás Aréna, Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead on 6'. Ousmane Dembélé equalised from the spot in the second half and extra time stayed goalless, with Arsenal protesting for a penalty on Madueke.
In the shoot-out Eze and Gabriel missed for the Londoners, while Raya saved from Nuno Mendes. Beraldo scored and PSG became the second club, after Real, to win back-to-back titles in the Champions League era. Both teams had announced they would wear their 2025-26 kits: PSG as the home side, Arsenal in their red and white.
The decade's legacy
So far the decade has two leading actors: Real, who reached 15 titles, and PSG, who went from "never" to "two in a row". Chelsea and City added their own stars to the shirt.
A Greek touch, albeit in another competition: in 2024 Olympiacos lifted the Conference League in Athens, beating Fiorentina 1-0 after extra time, the first European trophy in the club's history. And the three finals left until 2029 promise more stories.
See our Champions League club jerseys at sportarena.gr.
Photo: Budapest's Puskás Aréna from above – OD Pictures, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.