Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy was again the top scorer, scoring 12 goals over the two group stages and knockout stage, in addition to two goals he had scored in the qualifying phase, although his side bowed out in the quarter-finals and missed out on the chance of playing in a final at their own stadium.

Additionally, no teams from Azerbaijan were admitted this year as no official champion was decided in the 2001–02 season.

Due to this, as well as due to suspension of Azerbaijan, the following changes to the default access list are made: League positions of the previous season shown in parentheses (TH: Champions League title holders).

Tiebreakers, if necessary, are applied in the following order:[6] Basel, Genk and Maccabi Haifa made their debut in the group stage.

The top two teams in each group advanced to the Champions League knockout stage.