PSG Claims Top Spot in Champions League Power Rankings Before Matchday 1

Paris Saint-Germain earned nine of 19 first-place votes to lead the inaugural Champions League Power Rankings ahead of their opener against Slovan Bratislava.

Paris Saint-Germain sits at No. 1 in the inaugural ESPN Champions League Power Rankings, securing nine of 19 first-place votes from a global panel of experts. The back-to-back defending champions enter the 36-team league phase featuring reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and manager Luis Enrique. PSG begins its campaign against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday at 8 p.m. BST, looking to rebound from a recent home defeat to Monaco.

Arsenal ranks second after receiving five first-place votes following their first Premier League title in over 20 years. Mikel Arteta’s squad, which added Ezri Konsa, Bruno Guimarães, and Christos Tzolis this summer, travels to face Napoli for their Matchday 1 fixture. Bayern Munich holds the third position, led by striker Harry Kane, who scored 64 goals last season, and winger Luis Díaz, who recorded 26 goals and 19 assists in the 2025-26 campaign.

Barcelona and Real Madrid occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Barcelona enters the tournament with new signing Rodri and Raphinha, who has already scored six goals in the 2026-27 season. Real Madrid, now managed by Jose Mourinho, faces Inter Milan on Tuesday at 8 p.m. BST. Mourinho’s side features Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, though they recently suffered a domestic loss to Real Betis.

Manchester City ranks sixth as Enzo Maresca takes over for Pep Guardiola, following the departure of Rodri to Barcelona. The remainder of the top 10 includes Inter Milan at seventh, Liverpool at eighth, and Atlético Madrid at ninth. Manchester United rounds out the rankings at No. 10, led by manager Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes, who provided 22 assists last season.