UEFA Champions League Trophy: Names, dimensions, weight, materials, history, and more

Mark Mothershaw Updated: 19 Nov 24 18:31

Everything you need to know about one of the most prized possessions in world football, the coveted and prestigious UEFA Champions League Trophy.

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Names

What is the official name of the UEFA Champions League Trophy?

The UEFA Champions League Trophy is also known as the 'European Cup' or the 'Coupe des Clubs Champions Europeens', with those words engraved across the front of the current design.

In some countries, such as Italy, Russia and Vietnam, the trophy is known as 'Big Ears' given its design style and two gigantic handles.

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Dimensions

How big is the UEFA Champions League Trophy?

The current UEFA Champions League Trophy comes in at 73.5cm in height, just shy of 29 inches.

By comparison, the FIFA World Cup stands at a smaller 36.8cm (14.5 inches), with the Premier League trophy towering above both at a whopping 104cm (41 inches).

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Weight

How heavy is the UEFA Champions League Trophy?

The current UEFA Champions League Trophy, which has been in existence since 2006, weighs in at 7.5kg, just over 16.5lbs.

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Designer & Manufacturer

Who designed and made the UEFA Champions League Trophy?

The current UEFA Champions League Trophy was designed by Jurg Stadelmannin and and manufactured by Bremen silversmiths Koch und Bergfeld in Berne, Switzerland - just a few miles from UEFA's then HQ.

The trophy took 340 hours to make after an intense design period in which Stadelmannin spent hours deliberating plans with former UEFA General Secretary Herr Bangerter.

Stadelmann recalled: "My father Hans and I went along to Herr Bangerter's office and covered the whole floor with drawings.

"He made comments like, 'The Bulgarians would like the bottom of that. The Spaniards would like this but the Italians would prefer that and the Germans would go for this.' We put the design together like a jigsaw puzzle."

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Materials

What is the UEFA Champions League Trophy made of?

The current UEFA Champions League Trophy is made entirely of sterling silver.

UEFA Champions League Trophy - Cost

How much did it cost to make the UEFA Champions League Trophy?

The cost of the materials needed to make the first UEFA Champions League Trophy, in its current design, was 10,000 Swiss Francs, which converted to around £9,000 in British Pounds back in 1967.

However, the build of the trophy now would far exceed that cost if it was to be remade for a sixth time.

How many UEFA Champions League Trophies have been made?

The existing UEFA Champions League Trophy is the fifth version of its current design, and the sixth trophy in the competition's history.

It was commissioned by UEFA General Secretary Hans Bangerter back in 1967 after Real Madrid were allowed to keep the original trophy, which boasted an entirely different design.

Can a club keep the UEFA Champions League Trophy permanently?

A rule introduced ahead of the start of the 1968/69 season permitted a club to retain permanent possession of the Trophy if they went on to win the UEFA Champions League on five occasions or record three successive tournament successes, of which Real Madrid had achieved both.

Since the launch of the European Cup (UEFA Champions League), five clubs have been awarded the real Trophy:

Real Madrid (Spain) - following their sixth title in 1966.
Ajax (Netherlands) - following their third successive title in 1973.
Bayern Munich (Germany) - following their third successive title in 1976.
AC Milan (Italy) - following their fifth title in 1994.
Liverpool (England) - following their fifth title in 2005.

Up until the 2008/09 season, clubs who won the UEFA Champions League who had not won the title for a third successive occasion or for a fifth time were granted license to retain hold of the real trophy for 10 months as well as receiving a scaled down version to keep permanently.

However, the actual UEFA Champions League Trophy now holds a permanent residence at UEFA's Swiss HQ, and will remain there irrespective of whether a club goes on to win it three times in succession or five times overall.

UEFA Champions League winners now receive a replica of the original trophy to keep on a permanent basis.