The Champions League will see an overhaul of its format in the next few years after the UEFA Executive Committee approved the move last year
The Champions League will see a major change in its format at the end of next season after over 30 years of historic nights in Europe.
Over a year ago, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the new format after two years of talks over the procedure. The 'Swiss Model' will oversee a number of key changes to what football supporters around the globe have become accustomed too.
Here, football.london provides you with all the information you need to understand the new format that will begin as of the 2024/25 season.
The new format will see 36 teams taking place - compared to the 32 before - meaning there will be more games on the calendar with 189 instead of 125. The group stage will be swapped for a league phase, which will see each team play at least eight matches - half home and half away.
From the the league, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, with those finishing ninth to 24th competing in a two-legged play-off for a place in the last-16 and the bottom 12 will exit the tournament and not enter the Europa League.
Two of the additional four slots will be awarded to nations whose clubs achieved the best performance the season before - total points earned divided by the number of sides competing is how they will determine this.
Another change will see clubs from the same country being able to play each other in the early knockout stages. Currently, domestic contests are not allowed until the quarter-finals.
As the tournament progresses, the last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will remain the same as previous editions of the competition.
Due to the Premier League's dominance in Europe, England are almost guaranteed to have five Champions League places instead of the four they currently have. The same situation is likely to happen in Spain, Germany and Italy.
The historic 'race for top four' in England could now be established as a 'race for top five', a major boost for teams who have struggled to break into the Champions League places.
16 Chelsea players may have played their last Champions League game under Todd Boehly
KeronKush
0
Please check your records well Last 15 year you’re talking about start from 2008 and English teams have more than 3 you said
Since 2008, Primier League teams have only won 4 UCL titles. City is heavily fancied to make that 5 wins for English teams in 16 seasons. La Liga teams have won 8 UCL titles in those 16 seasons. Which is more dominant?
DapoBollace
1
We don’t need this
akaonceChelseaBarca
0
U always make something boring, why cant it be the way it is
Papeelo700
0
Did u just read right? Did they say due to the Premier League's dominance in Europe? Which dominance are they talking about? English Teams have won the UCL on 3 times in the last 15 years.
yeah but they have ten or more finalist within that 15 year and four UCL
JamesCallagher
0
ahts ...this are the type of so called know all but zero humans Please you tell me the difference so I learn from you
shut up and learn before commenting out of points, FIFA is the governing body of football in the world while EUFA is the governing body of football in Europe
rikackopy
0
this is nonsense
patience28
1
I can see Chelsea playing uefa
NcBalzer
0
don't you know the difference between FIFA and UEFA
ahts ...this are the type of so called know all but zero humans Please you tell me the difference so I learn from you
catacdekop
1
Did u just read right? Did they say due to the Premier League's dominance in Europe? Which dominance are they talking about? English Teams have won the UCL on 3 times in the last 15 years.
Please check your records well Last 15 year you’re talking about start from 2008 and English teams have more than 3 you said
Arabmoney7
2
Did I see Tottenham in the list?
KeronKush
5
Did u just read right? Did they say due to the Premier League's dominance in Europe? Which dominance are they talking about? English Teams have won the UCL on 3 times in the last 15 years.
Barca2024
4
When The Don Perez was seeking for a breakaway from the champions league we didn't understand him but he will soon be vindicated. The Uefa is pursuing their selfish interests without thinking of well being of the players and the clubs as well this new format is totally rubbish
JamesCallagher
0
Man United and Messi are truly for Fifa
don't you know the difference between FIFA and UEFA
NcBalzer
1
Man United and Messi are truly for Fifa
catorn
3
More game time is killing players.
fekbstyz
0
No one is complaining on this current format, then y changing it?... UEFA should just tell the world that they are just looking for a way to make more money.
Thats the MAIN reason why They wanna make ESL, it will benefit the Football Clubs way more and they will get more money instead of Nearly 60% going to UEFA and just a 40% remaining for the football clubs who’re the MAIN entertainers... UEFA taking a lot of money for just hosting tournaments....... Hope more clubs Join Barca , Real and juve in ESL
miyabdiorz
1
Liverpool that's our gain right there if it's not a drill
Kicute
4
No one is complaining on this current format, then y changing it?... UEFA should just tell the world that they are just looking for a way to make more money.