Starting with the 2024-25 season, the UEFA Champions League will undergo a significant format change aimed at increasing the competition’s excitement and expanding its reach. Here’s a breakdown of how the new format will work:
- Expanded Group Stage: The traditional group stage will be replaced by a single league phase, featuring 36 teams instead of the previous 32. Each team will play 8 matches against different opponents (4 home and 4 away), rather than the previous format of 6 matches within a fixed group of 4 teams.
- Swiss Model: The new “Swiss model” will determine opponents based on seeding, ensuring a balanced mix of challenging and relatively easier fixtures. This format, borrowed from chess tournaments, means no two teams will have the same set of opponents, leading to a unique and varied experience for every club.
- Qualification for Knockout Rounds: The top 8 teams in the league phase will automatically qualify for the Round of 16. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th will enter a two-legged playoff to secure the remaining 8 spots in the knockout rounds. This adds a new layer of competitiveness, as more teams have a chance to progress, even if they don’t finish in the top 8.
- More Matches: With each team playing 8 group matches, the total number of group stage games will increase, providing fans with more high-quality European football. This also offers clubs additional revenue opportunities from hosting more matches.
- Finals: The knockout stages will follow the traditional format, culminating in a one-off final to decide the Champions League winner. The new format is designed to maintain the prestige and excitement of the competition while introducing fresh challenges and opportunities for all participating teams.
This revamped format aims to create a more inclusive and thrilling Champions League experience, as the competition continues to evolve in response to the growing demands of clubs, fans, and broadcasters. Fans can look forward to more games, diverse matchups, and an even more unpredictable path to glory in Europe’s premier club competition.