15 Teams With the Most Champions League Appearances Without Ever Winning the Trophy

June 7, 2025 Oliver Obel

The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of European club football, a competition where dreams are made — and sometimes broken. While a select few clubs have dominated the tournament for decades, many others have come close, played hundreds of games, yet never managed to lift the iconic trophy. Below, we rank the 15 clubs with the most Champions League (and European Cup) appearances who are still chasing that elusive first title.

15. Valencia – 128 Games

Valencia CF — Media Whale Stock / Shutterstock.com

Valencia have had several deep runs in the Champions League, famously reaching back-to-back finals in 2000 and 2001, only to lose both. Despite being a consistent European force in the early 2000s, the Spanish side has never managed to clinch the big prize.

14. Club Brugge – 139 Games

Belgian giants Club Brugge have regularly featured in the Champions League, especially in recent years. While they’ve produced strong group-stage performances, the club has yet to make a serious impact in the knockout rounds.

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13. Lyon – 148 Games

Lyon became one of the dominant forces in French football during the 2000s, earning regular Champions League spots. Despite their consistency, their best finish remains a semi-final appearance in the 2019/20 season.

12. Rosenborg – 152 Games

Norwegian powerhouse Rosenborg dominated their domestic league for years, translating into frequent Champions League appearances. However, they have rarely progressed past the group stage despite their longevity in the competition.

11. Sparta Prague – 162 Games

Sparta Praha — islavicek / Shutterstock.com

Sparta Prague, one of the Czech Republic’s most historic clubs, have a long Champions League history dating back to the European Cup era. Their European pedigree is well-established, but continental glory has always remained just out of reach.

10. Panathinaikos – 163 Games

Panathinaikos reached their peak in 1971 when they were beaten finalists against Ajax. Despite additional deep runs in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Greek giants are still chasing that elusive title.

9. Shakhtar Donetsk – 166 Games

Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk have grown into a Champions League mainstay, particularly since the early 2000s. Despite winning the UEFA Cup in 2009, they’ve never gone beyond the quarter-finals in the Champions League.

8. Dinamo Zagreb – 170 Games

Croatia’s most successful club has played over 170 Champions League games but never advanced beyond the group stage. Their domestic dominance hasn’t translated to European breakthroughs.

7. Rangers – 179 Games

The Scottish giants were among the earliest participants in the European Cup, even reaching the semi-finals in the early years. Yet, despite their rich history and 179 appearances, the Champions League trophy remains missing from their cabinet.

6. Atletico Madrid – 180 Games

Atletico Madrid have come agonisingly close, reaching the final three times — in 1974, 2014, and 2016 — only to fall short each time. Under Diego Simeone, they’ve become European contenders but still lack the final touch.

5. Olympiacos – 186 Games

Olympiacos have been Greece’s most consistent Champions League representative for decades. Despite winning the UEFA Conference League in 2024, they’ve never advanced beyond the quarter-finals in the Champions League.

4. Galatasaray – 191 Games

Turkey’s most successful club famously won the UEFA Cup in 2000 but have never reached a Champions League final. With 191 games played, Galatasaray remain a European force still chasing the continent’s top crown.

3. Anderlecht – 200 Games

Belgian legends Anderlecht were early European Cup contenders and have lifted multiple continental trophies — just not the Champions League. Their last appearance in the tournament came back in 2017/18.

2. Arsenal – 225 Games

Arsenal came closest to Champions League glory in 2006, losing to Barcelona in the final after leading the match for much of the game. With Mikel Arteta at the helm, they recently returned to the semi-finals but fell to eventual winners PSG.

1. Dynamo Kyiv – 261 Games

Topping the list is Dynamo Kyiv, with a staggering 261 Champions League appearances and no trophy to show for it. Despite being semi-finalists on multiple occasions, the Ukrainian giants are still searching for that breakthrough moment in Europe.