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A simplified guide to the new UEFA Champions League format following the draw conducted on Thursday evening.
The UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier club football competition, has undergone significant changes for the 2024/25 season.
After extensive consultations and a unanimous decision by UEFA's Executive Committee, the competition will adopt a new format designed to enhance the experience for clubs, players, and fans.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the new system will work.
What’s New in the Champions League Format?
1. Expansion to 36 Teams
Starting in the 2024/25 season, the Champions League will expand from 32 to 36 teams. This increase aims to provide more clubs with the opportunity to compete in Europe’s elite competition. The allocation of the four extra spots has been explained here.
2. Introduction of the League Phase
The traditional group stage format, which featured eight groups of four teams each, will be replaced by a single league phase. In this new structure, all 36 participating teams will compete in one large league table.
3. Revised Match Structure
Instead of facing three opponents twice, each team will now play against eight different teams—four home games and four away games. Teams will be drawn to play two opponents from each of four seeding pots, ensuring a varied slate of matches.
4. Determining Knockout Phase Qualification
- Top Eight Teams: Automatically advance to the Round of 16.
- Teams Ranked 9th to 24th: Enter a two-legged playoff to secure a spot in the Round of 16.
- Teams Ranked 25th and Below: Will be eliminated from the competition, with no access to the Europa League.
5. Knockout Phase Adjustments
Teams finishing 9th to 16th in the league phase will be seeded for the playoff draw, facing teams ranked 17th to 24th. The top eight teams from the league phase will face the winners of these play-offs in the Round of 16.
How are the additional four spots allocated?
1. Association performance Spot
- Slot One: Awarded to the third-placed team from the association ranked fifth in the UEFA coefficient rankings.
2. Domestic Champion Spot
- Slot Two: Provided to an additional domestic champion, expanding the Champions Path from four to five qualifying clubs.
3. Performance-Based Spots
- Slots Three and Four: Given to the two associations with the best overall performance in the previous season’s Champions League, with one club from each association qualifying automatically.
Impact on UEFA’s other club competitions
The UEFA Europa League and the newly renamed UEFA Conference League will also adopt similar formats starting in 2024/25. Both competitions will feature a league phase, with the Europa League accommodating 36 teams and the Conference League 36 teams as well.
How Will the Calendar Be Structured?
- Champions League: Matches will be played from September to January, with games taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Europa League: Matches will be held from September to January, on Thursdays.
- Conference League: Matches will run from September to December, also on Thursdays.
Each competition will have exclusive match weeks, ensuring no overlap and allowing for a focused scheduling of games.
Benefits for Fans and the European Game
1. Increased Variety of Matches
Fans will enjoy seeing a wider range of top European teams compete against each other earlier in the tournament. The new format ensures more high-stakes matches and varied fixtures.
2. Greater Competitive Balance
The league phase will provide teams with more balanced competition, making each game crucial for progression. This new format ensures that the final matches of the league phase are significant for all participating clubs.
3. Enhanced Transparency and Fairness
The new system reinforces the principle of open competition based on sporting merit, maintaining the integrity of the sport and providing more opportunities for clubs to demonstrate their abilities.
4. Improved Financial Solidarity
UEFA remains committed to supporting the entire European football ecosystem, including clubs not participating in its competitions, to ensure the financial stability and growth of the sport.
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