Every final since 1956, and the details that get forgotten.
The competition has changed its name, its format and its qualifying rules more than once, but the final has stayed the same thing: one match, one night, and a trophy that clubs organise decades around. What follows is every one of them, from the first at the Parc des Princes in 1956 to the most recent.
The obvious facts about a final are the ones everybody already has — who played, who won, roughly what the score was. The interesting ones sit a layer below that: which club a losing finalist had eliminated on the way, who was in the dugout, which referee took charge, what the attendance was, and the odd detail that only makes sense in context, like a goalkeeper becoming the first player ever sent off in a European Cup final.
Those are the ones collected here. Every answer carries the sentence that proves it and a link to where that sentence came from, because a football fact without a source is just something somebody said confidently.
Play the european cup and champions league finals quizEvery answer below is quoted from the page it came from. Where a claim could not be confirmed against a source, it was left out rather than guessed at.
At which stadium was the inaugural European Cup final, in 1956, played?
Parc des Princes, Paris
It was contested by Real Madrid of Spain and Stade de Reims of France, and played at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 13 June 1956 in front of 38,000 people. source
Which referee awarded the disputed penalty that led to Real Madrid's first goal in the 1957 European Cup final?
Leo Horn
Controversy surrounded Real Madrid's first goal after Dutch referee Leo Horn ignored his linesman signalling that Enrique Mateos was offside before awarding a penalty for a foul on Mateos that appeared to have been committed outside the penalty area. source
How did Real Madrid win the 1958 European Cup final against Milan?
3–2 to Real Madrid after extra time
Despite twice being behind during the match, Real Madrid came from behind to win 3–2 after extra time as they successfully defended their title to lift the trophy for the third consecutive year. source
Which club did Real Madrid beat in the 1959 European Cup final to take a fourth consecutive title?
Stade de Reims
The match was contested by three-time defending champions Real Madrid of Spain, the only previous team to win the competition, and Stade de Reims of France and was a replay of the inaugural final in 1956. source
What attendance did the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden Park draw, a record for the competition at the time?
Over 127,000
The match set a record attendance for a European Cup final at over 127,000 while an estimated 70 million people across Europe watched the match on television. source
What was notable about the 1961 European Cup final between Benfica and Barcelona?
It was the first final not to include Real Madrid
This was the first final not to include Real Madrid, who had won the previous five finals. source
Which English club did Benfica face in the semi-finals on the way to the 1962 European Cup final?
Tottenham Hotspur
In the semi-finals, Benfica faced Tottenham Hotspur of England. source
Which Scottish club were Milan's semi-final opponents on the way to the 1963 European Cup final?
Dundee
In the semi-finals, Milan's opponents were Dundee of Scotland. source
What was notable about Inter Milan's appearance in the 1964 European Cup final?
They reached the final at their first attempt in the competition
Inter Milan, who had never previously qualified for the European Cup, reached the final at the first attempt. source
At which stadium was the 1965 European Cup final played?
San Siro, Milan
The match was played at the San Siro in Milan, Italy on 27 May 1965 as the conclusion to the 1964–65 European Cup. source
Which player is described as the only Real Madrid player to have won all six of the club's European Cups by 1966?
Paco Gento
This was Real Madrid's sixth European Cup triumph in the 11 years of the tournament's existence, with Paco Gento being the only Madrid player to win all of these. source
Who managed Celtic in the 1967 European Cup final in Lisbon?
Jock Stein
Celtic manager Jock Stein and his team received acclaim after the match and were given the nickname the "Lisbon Lions". source
Who refereed the 1968 European Cup final between Manchester United and Benfica?
Concetto Lo Bello
The referee was Concetto Lo Bello of Italy. source
What did Ajax achieve by reaching the 1969 European Cup final?
They became the first Dutch side to reach the final
Ajax made history by becoming the first Dutch side to reach the final, but they were beaten by their Italian opponents 4–1. source
Who managed Feyenoord in the 1970 European Cup final against Celtic?
Ernst Happel
However, despite Celtic's Tommy Gemmell opening the scoring after 30 minutes, they were outplayed by the Dutch outfit, whose manager, Ernst Happel, ensured Celtic winger Jimmy Johnstone was double marked at all times, whilst the midfield trio of Franz Hasil, Willem van Hanegem, and Wim Jansen dominated their Scottish counterparts. source
What was the attendance for the 1971 European Cup final at Wembley?
83,179
Watched by a crowd of 83,179, Ajax took the lead in the 5th minute when Dick van Dijk scored. source
At which stadium was the 1972 European Cup final between Ajax and Inter played?
De Kuip, Rotterdam
The 1972 European Cup final was a football match held at De Kuip, Rotterdam, on 31 May 1972, that was contested between AFC Ajax of the Netherlands and Internazionale of Italy to determine the champions of the 1971–72 European Cup. source
What did Ajax earn by winning the 1973 European Cup final?
The right to keep the trophy permanently
Ajax won 1–0 to claim their third consecutive European Cup and earned the Dutch side the privilege of keeping the trophy permanently. source
What is unique about the 1974 European Cup final between Bayern München and Atlético Madrid?
It is the only final to have been replayed
This is the only European Cup/Champions League final to have been replayed. source
Which referee turned down Leeds United's penalty appeals in the 1975 European Cup final?
Michel Kitabdjian
The Leeds players appealed for a penalty, which the French referee Michel Kitabdjian denied. source
What did Bayern Munich's win in the 1976 European Cup final make them?
The third club to win three consecutive European Cups
This was the third consecutive European Cup title for Bayern, making them the third club to achieve this feat, following Real Madrid and Ajax. source
Which Swiss club were Liverpool's semi-final opponents on the way to the 1977 European Cup final?
FC Zürich
The Reds' opponents there were Swiss champions FC Zürich. source
What did Liverpool become by winning the 1978 European Cup final?
The first British team to retain the trophy
The match remained at 1–0 and Liverpool won their second consecutive European Cup, becoming the first British team to retain the trophy. source
Who was Nottingham Forest's manager when they won the 1979 European Cup final?
Brian Clough
Under their maverick manager Brian Clough, Nottingham Forest, a relatively small English club, had won European club football's winning prize, knocking out two-time defending champions Liverpool along the way. source
Who scored the only goal of the 1980 European Cup final for Nottingham Forest?
John Robertson
In the 21st minute, John Robertson squeezed a shot past Hamburg keeper Rudi Kargus for the only goal of the game, and Forest then defended solidly, to give Nottingham Forest back-to-back European Cup titles. source
The 1981 European Cup final made which manager the first to win the competition three times?
Bob Paisley
Liverpool's victory meant that Bob Paisley became the first manager to win the European Cup three times. source
What was unusual about Aston Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink's outing in the 1982 European Cup final?
It was only his second first-team appearance for the club
His replacement, Nigel Spink, subsequently made his second first team appearance for the club. source
What run did the 1983 European Cup final extend?
The sixth consecutive final to finish with a 1–0 scoreline
It was the sixth consecutive European Cup final to finish with a 1–0 scoreline. source
Which Romanian club were Liverpool's semi-final opponents on the way to the 1984 European Cup final?
Dinamo București
In the semi-final, Liverpool's opponents were Romanian champions Dinamo București. source
What did Juventus become by winning the 1985 European Cup final?
The first club to win all three major European trophies
Juventus won 1–0, achieving their first European Cup win and became the first club to have won all three major European trophies at the time (European Cup, UEFA Cup, and Cup Winners' Cup). source
Which goalkeeper saved all four of Barcelona's penalties in the 1986 European Cup final shoot-out?
Helmut Duckadam
Steaua București of Romania defeated Barcelona of Spain in a shootout, with keeper Helmut Duckadam saving all 4 shots. source
Which Porto player scored with a back heel in the 1987 European Cup final against Bayern München?
Rabah Madjer
Porto won its first European trophy after fighting back from 1–0 down, with the goals coming from a back heel by Rabah Madjer and a volley from Juary, after a Ludwig Kögl header had given Bayern the lead in the first half. source
How was the 1988 European Cup final between PSV Eindhoven and Benfica decided?
0–0 after extra time, PSV won 6–5 on penalties
PSV won 6–5 on penalties after a goalless draw after extra time. source
Milan's win in the 1989 European Cup final was their third title — and their first in how long?
20 years
Two goals each from Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit gave the Rossoneri their third European Cup title and the first in 20 years. source
Who scored the only goal as Milan beat Benfica 1–0 in the 1990 European Cup final?
Frank Rijkaard
The winning goal came for Milan in the 68th minute, when Frank Rijkaard ran through the opposing defence and scored the only goal of the match. source
How was the 1991 European Cup final between Red Star Belgrade and Marseille decided?
Red Star Belgrade won in a penalty shoot-out
The 1991 European Cup final was a football match held at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari, Italy, on 29 May 1991, that saw Red Star Belgrade of Yugoslavia defeat Marseille of France in a penalty shoot-out. source
Who scored the winning goal as Barcelona beat Sampdoria 1–0 in the 1992 European Cup final at Wembley?
Ronald Koeman
The 1992 European Cup final was a football match held on 20 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Barcelona of Spain and Sampdoria of Italy. Barcelona won the game 1–0 after extra time, thanks to a Ronald Koeman free kick. source
Who scored the only goal of the 1993 UEFA Champions League final, heading in for Marseille in the 43rd minute?
Basile Boli
Ivorian-born Marseille defender Basile Boli score the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute with a header to give OM their first European Cup title. source
What was the final score when Milan beat Barcelona in the 1994 UEFA Champions League final in Athens?
4–0
Eight minutes later, after Savićević had hit a post and the Barcelona defence had failed to clear, Milan midfielder Marcel Desailly beat the offside trap to make it 4–0, which ended up being the final score. source
Who scored the only goal, in the 85th minute, as Ajax beat Milan in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final?
Patrick Kluivert
However, after 85 minutes, Ajax striker Patrick Kluivert scored the only goal of the game to give Ajax their first title in 22 years source
How did the 1996 UEFA Champions League final between Ajax and Juventus end?
1–1 after extra time, Juventus won 4–2 on penalties
The match ended in a 1–1 draw after extra time, forcing a penalty shoot-out, which Juventus won 4–2. source
What was the final score when Borussia Dortmund beat Juventus in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final?
3–1
Borussia Dortmund won 3–1 with goals from Karl-Heinz Riedle and Lars Ricken; Juventus' only goal was scored by Alessandro Del Piero. source
Who scored the only goal as Real Madrid beat Juventus 1–0 in the 1998 UEFA Champions League final?
Predrag Mijatović
Real Madrid won 1–0, to clinch their record breaking seventh European title, their first title for 32 years. The only goal was scored by Predrag Mijatović. source
Which two Manchester United players scored the injury-time goals that beat Bayern Munich in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final?
Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Injury time goals from Manchester United's Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær cancelled out Mario Basler's early goal for Bayern to give Manchester United a 2–1 win source
How many European Cup/Champions League titles had Real Madrid won after beating Valencia 3–0 in the 2000 final?
Eight
Real Madrid won 3–0 to claim the trophy for a record-extending eighth time. source
Which Valencia player scored the third-minute penalty that opened the scoring in the 2001 UEFA Champions League final?
Gaizka Mendieta
Valencia opened the score early on with a Gaizka Mendieta penalty in the third minute after a prostrate Patrik Andersson was deemed to have handled the ball in the penalty area. source
At which stadium was the 2002 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen played?
Hampden Park, Glasgow
The show-piece event was contested between Bayer Leverkusen of Germany and Real Madrid of Spain at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on 15 May 2002 to decide the winner of the Champions League. source
How was the 2003 UEFA Champions League final between Milan and Juventus decided?
0–0 after extra time, Milan won 3–2 on penalties
Milan won the match 3–2 via a penalty shoot-out after the game had finished 0–0 after extra time. source
Who was Monaco's manager for the 2004 UEFA Champions League final against Porto?
Didier Deschamps
Monaco had hired former France national football team captain Didier Deschamps as manager and Porto were led by rising star José Mourinho, who left the club for Chelsea a week after the match. source
Who scored Liverpool's second goal during their comeback against Milan in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final?
Vladimír Šmicer
One of those leaving was Vladimír Šmicer, who had scored Liverpool's second goal in Istanbul, and whose contract was known not to be renewed before the final, meaning he entered knowing the final was his last game for the club. source
Which player became the first ever to be sent off in a European Cup final, in the 2006 final at the Stade de France?
Jens Lehmann
With 18 minutes played, Lehmann became the first player to be sent off in a European Cup final after he brought down Samuel Eto'o outside the Arsenal box. source
Who scored Liverpool's only goal, in the 88th minute, in the 2007 UEFA Champions League final against Milan?
Dirk Kuyt
Liverpool managed to pull one goal back in the 88th minute when Kuyt scored with a header after Agger had flicked on Pennant's corner from the left. source
Which Manchester United player missed the first penalty of the shoot-out in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final?
Cristiano Ronaldo
The first miss of the shoot-out came from Ronaldo, who characteristically stuttered in his run-up in an attempt to put Čech off, but the goalkeeper dived to his right to save. source
Who refereed the 2009 UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United?
Massimo Busacca
The match was refereed by Swiss referee Massimo Busacca. source
Who was Bayern Munich's manager for the 2010 UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan?
Louis van Gaal
Bayern manager Louis van Gaal won the competition with Ajax in 1995, while Inter's José Mourinho was manager of Porto's 2004 side. source
Which three clubs did Manchester United eliminate in the knockout phase on the way to the 2011 UEFA Champions League final?
Marseille, Chelsea and Schalke 04
To reach the final, in the knockout phase Barcelona beat Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk and lastly Real Madrid in the 212th El Clásico derby, while Manchester United beat Marseille, Chelsea and Schalke 04. source
Who scored Chelsea's 88th-minute equaliser in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich?
Didier Drogba
However, on 88 minutes, Chelsea won their first corner kick of the match, and when Juan Mata swung it in, Drogba got to it first and powered a header past Manuel Neuer at the near post for the equaliser. source
Who scored Borussia Dortmund's goal in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich?
İlkay Gündoğan
In the first all-German Champions League final, Bayern won the match 2–1 with goals from Mario Mandžukić and man of the match Arjen Robben coming either side of an İlkay Gündoğan penalty for Dortmund. source
Who scored Atlético Madrid's goal in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid?
Diego Godín
When Atlético received a corner, it was routinely cleared by the Real Madrid defence, but only as far as the head of Juanfran, who headed the ball back into the penalty area and onto the head of Diego Godín, who caught Iker Casillas off his line with a looping header to make it 1–0 to Atlético on 36 minutes. source
Who scored Juventus's equaliser in the 2015 UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona?
Álvaro Morata
Ten minutes after the interval, Juventus equalised with a goal by Álvaro Morata. source
How was the 2016 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid decided?
1–1 after extra time, Real Madrid won 5–3 on penalties
Real Madrid won 5–3 on a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw at the end of extra time, securing a record-extending 11th title in the competition. source
Who refereed the 2017 UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff?
Felix Brych
In May 2017, German referee Felix Brych was selected to supervise the final. source
At which stadium was the 2018 UEFA Champions League final played?
NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv
It was played at the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv, Ukraine on 26 May 2018, between Spanish side and defending champions Real Madrid, who had won the competition in each of the previous two seasons, and English side Liverpool, making their eighth final appearance and first since 2007. source
Which club reached their first ever Champions League final in 2019?
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur reached their first ever Champions League final, becoming the eighth unique finalist from England and the fortieth overall. source
Where was the 2020 UEFA Champions League final relocated to, and in what format?
Lisbon, as part of a single-match "final-eight tournament"
On 17 June 2020, the UEFA Executive Committee chose to relocate the final to Lisbon as part of a "final-eight tournament" consisting of single-match knockout ties played in two stadiums across the city. source
What was the attendance at the 2021 UEFA Champions League final in Porto, under a 33% capacity limit?
14,110
A capacity limit of 33% was agreed for the 50,000-seater Estádio do Dragão, resulting in an attendance of 14,110. source
Why was the 2022 UEFA Champions League final moved to the Stade de France?
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, UEFA organised an emergency meeting of its executive committee on 25 February, at which it decided to move the final to the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. source
Who refereed the 2023 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul?
Szymon Marciniak
On 22 May 2023, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak was appointed to take charge of the final by UEFA, along with fellow Poles: Paweł Sokolnicki and Tomasz Listkiewicz as assistant referees and Tomasz Kwiatkowski as the video assistant referee. source
What was the attendance for the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley?
86,212
The match kicked off at 20:00 local time with an attendance of 86,212 fans. source
At which stadium was the 2025 UEFA Champions League final played?
Allianz Arena, Munich
It was held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on 31 May 2025, between French club Paris Saint-Germain and Italian club Inter Milan. source