How New UEFA Champions League Format Looks Like Ahead of 2024/2025 Season
- The new Champions League format has elicited mixed reactions from fans ahead of its official rollout this season
- The old system of 32 teams grouped into groups of four teams each has been ditched in favour of a 'league system'
- Legit.ng explains every detail you need to know ahead of the inaugural league phase draw on August 29
It is only a few weeks now until fans experience the new Champions League format that is set to be rolled out by UEFA.
It goes without saying that the 'Big Ears' trophy is the best club competition in the world and is often used to gauge the best club and best players.
Source: Getty Images
Real Madrid will begin yet another season as the defending champions after their record-extending win last season. However, the Spanish giants will have to navigate through a different system if they want to maintain their grasp on the trophy.
Legit.ng breaks down everything you need to know about the new Champions League format.
Why was a new Champions League format introduced?
The previous system appeared to work fine, no? Why change a format that was working well?
According to UEFA, changing the format was necessary to improve the experience for fans, players, and clubs.
The European football governing body prides itself in conforming to the evolving nature of football and believes the new format will help it 'keep pace with wider changes in the game'.
What was the previous Champions League format?
The format, which was wiped out after Real Madrid's win over Borussia Dortmund in June, had 32 teams qualifying for the group stage through different processes.
The 32 teams were pooled into eight groups of four teams each. The teams would play each other in a round-robin format, home and away. Every team would, therefore, play six games at the end of it all, with the top two from every group advancing to the Round of 16.
Afterwards, it would be a double-legged knockout fixture, except for the final.
New Champions League format explained
For starters, the number of teams has been increased from 32 to 36, and the group stage will consequently be known as the league phase. These teams will be placed in the same league and will play eight games each - four at home and four away.
It is important to note that these eight games will be against eight different teams. This, as UEFA explains, will give the teams an opportunity to test themselves against a wider range of opponents and increases the likelihood of fans seeing top teams going head-to-head way earlier in the season.
How do teams qualify for the knockout stage?
The football rules of every win is three points, a draw is a point, and no points for a loss still remain. The teams will be placed by their total number of points at the end of the league phase games.
The top eight sides will qualify automatically for the first knockout stage, while the teams in 9th to 24th will play in a double-legged knockout to find eight extra teams for the Round of 16.
Will teams be relegated to Europa League from Champions League?
Also, and very importantly, teams that finish 25th and lower will be eliminated from Europe and will not have access to the Europa League, as has been the norm in the previous format.
From the Round of 16 onwards, the teams will play the normal double-legged knock-outs as it has been.
The Champions League fixtures will still be held in midweek, with the final remaining on a Saturday after most major leagues have already been wrapped up.
When does the 2024/2025 Champions League begin?
The draw for the league phase will be made on August 29, and the first round of matches will start on September 17.
The Champions League final will be on May 31, 2025, in Munich's Fußball Arena, München.
So, how are you feeling about the new system?
Top 10 clubs in Europe 2024/2025
Legit.ng had earlier reported on UEFA's new ranking of clubs for the 2024/2025 season.
Manchester United and Arsenal still miss out of the top 10 after recent seasons without much Champions league action.
Manchester City remains the top-ranked club, followed by record champions Real Madrid.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
