What are the standard rules for player substitutions in UEFA Champions League matches?

Basic Substitution Limits

UEFA Champions League teams can substitute up to 5 players during a 90-minute match. This means a team can replace up to 5 of their starting players with players from the bench. If the match goes into extra time, each team gets one additional substitution opportunity, bringing the total to 6 substitutions maximum.

Substitution Windows

Teams cannot make substitutions whenever they want. Instead, they have a maximum of 3 separate times during the 90 minutes of regular play when they can pause the game to make substitutions. This is called a substitution window. The referee controls when these windows occur, usually happening at natural breaks in play.

Bench and Squad Requirements

A team must name a squad of players before the match begins. Up to 12 players can be listed as substitutes on the bench, with the rest of the squad available as reserve players. Only players named on the team sheet before the match can be used as substitutes during the game.

Historical Context

Before 2020, teams were only allowed 3 substitutions in regular play. UEFA expanded this to 5 substitutions per match to give teams more flexibility, especially during periods of busy fixtures. This rule has remained in place through recent Champions League seasons.

Procedural Rules

When a substitution is made, the player being removed must leave the field completely before the replacement player can enter. Substitutions do not stop the match clock. Once a player is substituted out, they cannot return to the field during that match, even if other substitutions are still available.