Madrid and Lincoln bookend 2014/15 entries

The 77 contenders for the UEFA Champions League have been confirmed by UEFA, led by Real Madrid CF.

Madrid, along with last month's final opponents Club Atlético de Madrid, are among 22 teams given byes to the group stage, which starts in September, while 55 others enter in the three qualifying rounds or play-offs. A country's representation in the UEFA Champions League is determined by its UEFA coefficient ranking, which is calculated over a five-year basis.

The champions route, involving the 40 league winners not handed automatic group places, begins with six clubs entering the first qualifying round,  including Gibraltar's debut entrants Lincoln FC.

The draw for that stage, and the second qualifying round for which 31 teams are confirmed, will kick off the season on Monday at 12.00CET, streamed live on UEFA.com. FC Salzburg, APOEL FC and Aalborg BK enter in the third qualifying round of the the champions route, where eventually 20 teams will compete for the five group berths available from that path.

Runners-up and third and fourth-place finishers from Europe's 15 highest-ranked associations are in the league route. Ten will play in the third qualifying round with the winners joining five others in five play-off ties in August. All 77 hopefuls are looking for places in the final at the Olympiastadion, Berlin, on Saturday 6 June 2015.

SEASON CALENDAR

The list below is provisional, however, and is subject to pending legal proceedings and final confirmation from UEFA.

The 32 teams will be split into four seeding pots of eight, and one from each pot will be drawn into eight groups at the group stage draw in Monaco on 28 August.

*Pending CFCB or other final ranking decision