UEFA Champions League’s new format is explained

UEFA have released a new format for the 2024/25 Champions League, as well as for the other two men’s club competitions Europa League and Conference League. The fundamental change is in the way the “group stage” is run. 

Despite the sparking debate and controversies, the UEFA kept carrying on with the plan. Stating that this was a method to evolve and adapt in a fast-changing era. 

What is the new Champions League format?

“UEFA has clearly shown that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model,” said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. “I am really pleased that it was a unanimous decision of the UEFA Executive Committee, with the European Club Association, European Leagues and national associations all agreeing with the proposal made. Another proof that European football is more united than ever.”

Starting from next season, there will no longer be a conventional group stage as it is known today. Instead of dividing 32 teams into eight different groups, UEFA introduced the “league phase” where all of the 36 contestants will be ranked together.

Each team will be drawn against eight different opponents. Two from each of the four seeding pots, playing four at home and four away. However, in the UEFA Conference League, each team plays only six opponents. 

Teams that finish in the top 8 in the league phase will automatically get through to the Round of 16.

Teams ranked ninth to 24th must face each other in knockout play-off rounds to secure the remaining spot in the Round of 16. 

Teams in positions from 25th to 36th will be eliminated.

In the knockout phase, every game is played home and away all the way to the semifinal. The final will remain a one-legged contest. 

“Under the new format, teams will play eight matches in the new league phase (former group stage),” UEFA stated in the release. “They will no longer play three opponents twice – home and away – but will instead face fixtures against eight different teams, playing half of those matches at home and half of them away. 

Also Read: UEFA Champions League Top Scorers so far this season

To determine the eight different opponents, the teams will initially be ranked in four seeding pots. Each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots, playing one match against a team from each pot at home, and one away.”

This new format will allow the lower-ranked teams to face the competition’s giants, giving the fans more access to getting closer to top players. Also, the top teams can face each other since the beginning of the tournament.