New Champions League format reavealed

UEFA has drafted a new Champions League format for its competitors which will begin in the 2024/25 season.

The change means the tournament will migrate from the usual 32 participating teams to 36 and according to organizers, “the changes made are designed to secure the positive future of European football at every level and meet the evolving needs of all its stakeholders.”

It is also aimed at sustaining domestic leagues following a unanimous backing from the ECA Board and the UEFA Club Competitions Committee (made of a majority of club representatives) on Friday, April 16, 2021.

According to the UEFA president, the new format is to strengthen the local leagues across Europe

 And “retains the principle that domestic performance should be the key to qualification and reconfirms the principles of solidarity right through the game and of open competition.”

“This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel,” he said.

The new League format “will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league stage including all participating teams. Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of 10 league stage games against 10 different opponents (five home games, five away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home and away basis.”

“The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition.”