UEFA will introduce new disciplinary rules and allow stadium clocks to display stoppage time from the 2026-27 season across its three men’s club competitions.
The changes will apply to the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League as UEFA prepares for the 2026-27 campaign under its expanded league-phase format.
The biggest change affects yellow card suspensions.
Previously, a player or team official was suspended for one match after receiving three yellow cards during the league phase. From next season, that limit rises to four.
For example, if a midfielder is booked in matches one, three, four and seven of the league phase, they will now miss the next game after their fourth yellow card. Under the old rule, they would have been suspended after their third booking and missed a match earlier in the competition.
After serving that first suspension, another ban will apply after every two additional yellow cards. That means further suspensions will come after a player’s sixth, eighth and 10th bookings.
The three-yellow-card rule will still apply during qualifying rounds.
UEFA has also changed its stadium operations rules. Fans inside stadiums will now see stoppage time displayed on the big screen, such as 45+3 or 90+5, instead of the clock stopping at 45:00 or 90:00.
In practical terms, supporters inside the ground will know exactly how much added time remains, just as television viewers do.
UEFA has also introduced the four-yellow-card rule in the Conference League to keep disciplinary rules the same across all three competitions. That is particularly relevant during the January transfer window, when players can move between clubs competing in different UEFA tournaments.
The Champions League begins on 8 September 2026, followed by the Europa League on 16 September and the Conference League on 15 October.
