How the New UEFA Champions League Format Will Work
The UEFA Champions League, Europe’s most prestigious club football competition, is undergoing significant changes starting from the 2024/25 season. This transformation, championed by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, aims to elevate the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament, with the goal of delivering more high-stakes matches early on.
Key Changes to the Format
The most noticeable change is the expansion of the group stage. Previously, 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four. However, under the new format, the competition will feature 36 teams playing in a single league. Each team will participate in eight matches against different opponents, with four games at home and four away. These opponents will be selected from four seeded pots based on rankings, ensuring a mix of challenges for every club.
This shift from the traditional group stage allows teams to face a broader range of opponents, providing fans with more thrilling matchups earlier in the tournament. According to UEFA, this will lead to top teams clashing more frequently, raising the stakes for every game.
Advancing to the Knockout Stages
The top eight teams in this league will automatically progress to the knockout rounds. Teams ranked ninth to 24th will battle it out in a two-legged play-off to secure a spot in the last 16. Unlike the current format, there will be no Europa League qualification for teams finishing 25th or lower, nor for those who lose their play-off ties.
The play-off winners will then join the top eight in the knockout stage, leading to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and a grand final. The 2025 final is set to take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Qualification Criteria
Teams will still qualify for the Champions League based on their domestic league performance from the previous season. The four additional spots in the league will be allocated to clubs from the top two nations in UEFA’s co-efficient rankings (currently Italy and Germany), the third-placed team from the fifth-ranked association (currently France), and a domestic champion via the expanded Champions Path.
The New Draw Process
With the expanded league, UEFA is moving away from the traditional ball-drawing method for determining fixtures. Instead, a designated automated software will randomly select opponents for each team from the four pots. This technological approach ensures efficiency and maintains the randomness of the draw while adhering to guidelines that prevent teams from facing opponents from their own country and limiting matchups with clubs from the same nation.
Impact on the Europa League and Conference League
The new format will also apply to the Europa League, with 36 teams playing in a similar league phase. The Conference League, now rebranded as the UEFA Conference League, will feature teams playing six matches against six different opponents.
When Will Matches Take Place?
The league phases for the Champions League and Europa League will run from September to January, while the Conference League will conclude its first stage by December. Matches will continue to be played midweek, maintaining the tradition of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday fixtures.
This revamp promises a fresh and exciting approach to European club football, delivering more intense and diverse matchups for fans to enjoy.
