The Champions League anthem, composed by Tony Britten in 1992, draws inspiration from Handel’s “Zadok the Priest.” Its lyrics blend English, French, and German, using superlatives to emphasise the competition’s prestige. Refined in 2024, the anthem remains an iconic symbol of football excellence, streamed by millions.
The Champions League anthem, a sonic hallmark of Europe's premier club competition, resonates with fans worldwide. Its grandeur and pomp signal the start of each match, amplifying the tension and excitement. But where did this iconic piece of music originate? The anthem's genesis lies in the early 1990s when UEFA sought to rebrand the European Cup into the Champions League, requiring a theme song befitting its elevated status.
In 1992, British composer Tony Britten was commissioned to create the anthem. Britten drew inspiration from George Frideric Handel's "Zadok the Priest," a majestic composition traditionally performed at the coronation of British monarchs. This influence imbued the Champions League anthem with a sense of royalty and importance, appropriate for the stage on which Europe's elite football teams would compete.
"UEFA wanted this competition to be about the best of football rather than the worst and said they must have an anthem," Britten said. The anthem, performed by the Academy of Saint Martin and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, captures the spirit of the competition, emphasising excellence and prestige. It is a blend of classical music tradition with the modern excitement of football.
The lyrics of the Champions League anthem are a unique blend of UEFA's three official languages: English, French, and German. Rather than being pre-written, the lyrics were constructed by Britten using superlatives that captured the essence of the competition. Phrases like 'the greatest,' 'the best,' 'the masters,' 'the main event,' and 'the champions' were translated and interwoven to create a sense of unity and grandeur.
The anthem's creation was a rapid process. "It all came together in a matter of weeks and the actual composing process was just a matter of days," Britten recalls, underscoring the focused creativity that birthed this legendary piece of music. The full anthem lasts around three minutes, featuring two short verses and a powerful chorus, each element crafted to amplify the match's opening atmosphere.
Over the years, the anthem has undergone subtle refinements. In 2024, the Champions League proposed a rebrand that included an updated anthem. Original composer Tony Britten revisited his creation, enhancing it with a hand-picked orchestra and the Tenebrae choir. This updated version features a slightly faster tempo and a greater emphasis on vocals while retaining the iconic lyrics.
The Champions League anthem's enduring popularity is undeniable. With over 24 million streams on Spotify, the anthem continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The Champions League anthem is more than just a song; it's an emotional trigger, a symbol of footballing excellence, and a uniting force that connects fans across borders.
While the Champions League anthem remains iconic, the Europa League and Conference League also feature their anthems. The current Europa League anthem, created by MassiveMusic, was introduced in 2018-19, marking the competition's third anthem since its rebranding from the UEFA Cup in 2009. This anthem and is also played during Conference League matches, established in 2021.
From its inspired origins to its modern refinements, the Champions League anthem remains a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and unite people. As the teams line up and the first notes fill the stadium, fans across the globe recognise that the Champions League anthem is more than just a song; it is a symbol of football at its finest.