One ticket in the Champions League Group stage is reserved for the winner of the previous Champions League.

If this team already qualified for the Group stage through his national league then the ticket is offered to the winner of the previous European League. If neither of the previous champions qualified through the league then the winner of the European League enters in the Playoffs.

Some teams may enter in a different round than they qualified for to make room for a defending champion or fill up an empty spot that became available. If a team must be moved forward the team that ended in the highest league position in the best league (on league coefficient) is picked. If a team must be moved back then the team on the lowest league position in the worst league (on league coefficient) is picked.