The Champions League remains the pinnacle of club football, and with its global spotlight, the need for precise officiating has never been greater. Since its introduction in the 2018/19 season, VAR (Video Assistant Referee) has become an essential part of how UEFA manages critical match decisions. Now, as we approach the 2025/26 campaign, VAR continues to evolve in its application across Europe’s elite competition.
Here’s a complete breakdown of how VAR will function in the Champions League this season, what improvements have been made, and how it impacts the flow of the tournament.
The scope of VAR in the Champions League remains focused on four specific match-changing situations:
VAR is not intended to re-referee matches or involve itself in minor fouls. The guiding principle remains to intervene only in cases of "clear and obvious" errors that could influence the outcome of a game.
One of UEFA’s main objectives this season is to refine the speed of VAR checks without compromising accuracy. Officials have undergone additional training to streamline decision-making processes, aiming to reduce lengthy pauses in play that can disrupt the game's rhythm.
The system is designed to allow the VAR team to operate in the background for most incidents. Only when a potential error is deemed significant does the on-field referee get called to the pitchside monitor for a formal On-Field Review (OFR).
UEFA has emphasized that the final decision will always remain with the match referee, keeping the human element at the core of officiating.
Unlike domestic leagues still testing SAOT, UEFA has fully adopted semi-automated offside technology for the Champions League in the 2025/26 season. This system utilizes multiple limb-tracking cameras and advanced AI algorithms to determine offside decisions within seconds.
Visual animations are displayed on broadcast feeds to provide transparency for viewers, showing exactly when the ball is played and which part of a player’s body is beyond the defensive line. The aim is to minimize debate over marginal offside calls and ensure quicker resolutions on tight decisions.
Handball decisions remain one of the more subjective areas of VAR involvement. UEFA has updated its officiating guidelines to bring more clarity, particularly regarding accidental handballs leading to goals. VAR will continue to assist in identifying clear violations, but the final judgment—especially in grey-area scenarios—will lean heavily on the referee's interpretation, often reviewed at the pitchside monitor.
Consistency across matches is a key focus, with UEFA working to align officiating teams on how these scenarios are evaluated throughout the tournament.
While UEFA has yet to implement live VAR audio broadcasts during matches, efforts have been made to improve visual communication. Broadcast graphics now accompany every VAR check, indicating the nature of the review and whether a decision is pending or confirmed.
Stadium announcements also continue to be used, albeit without in-depth explanation, ensuring that fans in attendance are at least aware when VAR is in operation.
The Champions League knockout rounds often present high-stakes moments where VAR becomes a headline feature. Controversial penalties, offside goals, and last-minute red cards are not uncommon, and VAR is there to ensure the accuracy of these season-defining decisions.
With the introduction of SAOT and more streamlined VAR protocols, UEFA hopes to reduce post-match controversies while preserving the intense drama that defines Champions League nights.
For the upcoming campaign, fans can expect VAR to:
While the system is unlikely to silence debate entirely—especially in high-pressure knockout ties—its role in supporting referees is now fully embedded in the competition’s fabric.
