Champions League’s Unluckiest: 15 Most Experienced Teams Without a Trophy

August 30, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The Champions League is football’s grandest club competition, yet for some storied teams, it’s been a source of enduring frustration. These 15 clubs have played the most matches without ever getting their hands on the trophy.

15. Valencia – 128 Games

Valencia CF — Media Whale Stock / Shutterstock.com

Valencia came heartbreakingly close at the turn of the millennium, reaching back-to-back finals in 2000 and 2001. But both times, they fell short—first to Real Madrid, then on penalties against Bayern Munich—cementing their spot among Europe’s nearly men.

14. Club Brugge – 139 Games

The Belgian side reached a European Cup final in 1978 but lost to Liverpool in the final. Despite 139 Champions League appearances since, Club Brugge have never replicated that run.

13. Lyon – 148 Games

Lyon dominated French football in the 2000s and have consistently been part of the Champions League picture. Their best finish was a semi-final appearance in 2020, but a final remains elusive after 148 games.

12. Rosenborg – 152 Games

The Norwegian champions were once a fixture in the Champions League group stages, particularly during the 1990s. Despite 152 games of experience, they’ve never managed to go beyond the quarter-finals.

11. Sparta Prague – 162 Games

Sparta Prague, a pillar of Czech football, have a long history in European competition but haven’t broken through in the Champions League. Their 162 appearances have yet to yield even a single final appearance.

10. Panathinaikos – 163 Games

Panathinaikos reached the European Cup final in 1971, losing to Ajax in what remains their closest brush with glory. With 163 matches since, they’ve made quarter-final appearances but haven’t come close to a repeat.

9. Shakhtar Donetsk – 166 Games

Ukrainian side Shakhtar have become known for producing and selling elite talent, but Champions League success has proved more difficult. Despite 166 matches and a quarter-final run in 2011, they’re still without a title.

8. Dinamo Zagreb – 170 Games

Croatia’s most successful club has featured frequently in the group stages but never advanced past them. With 170 matches to date, Dinamo Zagreb are still searching for a major breakthrough.

7. Rangers – 179 Games

The Scottish giants have competed in European competitions since the 1950s and even reached the semi-finals of the European Cup early on. Despite 179 Champions League games, Rangers have never reached a final.

6. Atletico Madrid – 180 Games

Under Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid reached two finals in 2014 and 2016, both ending in defeat to Real Madrid. With 180 games and some of the strongest teams of the modern era, the trophy still evades them.

5. Olympiacos – 186 Games

Olympiacos are Greek football royalty, having played 186 Champions League games. Their best run came in 1999 when they were minutes away from the semi-finals but ultimately fell short.

4. Galatasaray – 191 Games

Turkey’s most decorated club has 191 Champions League games to its name, with numerous quarter-final appearances. Galatasaray famously won the UEFA Cup in 2000 but have never reached a Champions League final.

3. Anderlecht – 200 Games

The Belgian side have been in the competition since its very first season and reached the semi-finals in the 1980s. Despite 200 appearances, their last Champions League showing was in 2017/18—and they remain without a title.

2. Arsenal – 225 Games

Arsenal’s closest brush with Champions League glory came in 2006 when they lost the final to Barcelona. After 225 matches and several deep runs, the Gunners continue to chase their first European crown under Mikel Arteta.

1. Dynamo Kyiv – 261 Games

With 261 matches played, Dynamo Kyiv top the list as the most experienced team never to win the Champions League. The Ukrainian side reached the semi-finals three times but haven’t progressed beyond that since 1999.