Champions League to Introduce Debut Patches for Players

Beginning in the 2026-27 season, players in the Champions League will wear debut patches on their shirts, marking their first appearance in the tournament. This initiative is part of a new agreement between Fanatics and UEFA.

The patches will display the word 'debut' alongside the Champions League starball logo. After the match, these patches will be sent to Topps, a trading card company owned by Fanatics, to be included in a unique trading card signed by the player.

Players who debut as substitutes will also receive a patch, while those who are part of the matchday squad but do not play will need to wait for their first appearance. The program is expected to extend to the Women’s Champions League in the 2027-28 season, following similar initiatives in other major sports.