With their victory over Brest this Saturday (6-0), OGC Nice secured 4th place in Ligue 1. Les Aiglons have therefore earned a ticket to the qualifying rounds of next season's Champions League. Here's how it works.

The Aiglons had their fate in their own hands. Before heading into the 34th and final matchday of this Ligue 1 season, Franck Haise's men knew it: a home win against Brest would allow them to finish the season in fourth place and offer them a chance to play in the 2025/2026 Champions League. Mission accomplished thanks to an attacking masterclass and a fantastic celebration. Here’s what now awaits the Rouget et Noir squad this summer.

What format?

Thanks to their fourth-place finish, Le Gym have qualified for the third qualifying round (QR3) of Europe’s top competition. Dante and his teammates will join the 'League Path', along with seven other teams who, like them, did not win their national league titles to reach these qualifying rounds. The tie will be played over two legs, and the winner will move on to the play-off round - the final step before reaching the group stage of the Champions League.

If they are eliminated in either the QR3 or the play-off round, Les Aiglons are still guaranteed to compete in a European competition next season, as they will automatically be transferred to the Europa League, to take part, as in 2024/2025, in the group stage.

What dates?

The draw for the third qualifying round matches will take place in Nyon (Switzerland) on Monday 21 July 2025. The first leg will be played on Tuesday 5 August or Wednesday 6 August, while the return leg is scheduled for Tuesday 12 August - just a few days before Ligue 1 resumes on the weekend of 15 August.

Note that the play-off round draw will be held as early as Monday 4 August, also in Nyon. Le Gym will therefore know their potential opponent for the next round even before their QR3 debut. Play-off matches are scheduled for 19/20 August and 26/27 August. 

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