All the changes as UEFA are set to implement a new-look competition next year

The draw for the 2023-24 Champions League group stage is set to take place later today. But this will be the last time we see the competition as we know it.

UEFA approved plans back in April 2021 that would see not only the format of Europe's elite club competition altered, but also expand the number of teams.

Premier League clubs could be set to benefit from the expanded set up following confirmation that up to five teams would be able to qualify for the competition through their league position.

For that to happen, the English clubs competing across all UEFA competitions would have to provide one of the top two performances in Europe.

So what exactly does it mean for the Champions League to now be a 'Swiss League' style and what can we expect in the future?

Mail Sport has all the details of the future of the competition.

How will qualification work?

Despite some major overhauls to how the Champions League group stage will work, the changes to the qualification processes are very minor with four more places on offer.

They will remain open and earned through a team's performance in their own domestic competitions.

One of the additional places will go to the club who finish third in the league ranked fifth by UEFA's coefficient. With another being awarded to a domestic champion, increasing the clubs' qualifying through the 'Champions Path' from four to five.

The final two places will be awarded to the two league's who finish in the top two of the 2023-24 coefficients.

That is where a Premier League club could benefit should the English clubs perform well across Europe this season.

Spain could also be set to benefit from the change as they currently sit second in the coefficient rankings.

What is the new Champions League format?

For those that qualify for the group stage, an entirely new format will be awaiting them.

Instead of eight groups consisting of four teams, there will now be one league containing all 36 teams.

Each team will play 10 different teams across their games with five being at home and the other five away from home.

From there the top eight sides will automatically qualify for the round of 16 knockout stage.

The teams finishing ninth to 24th will then compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16.

From there proceedings will be as we have seen before with each round being a two-legged knockout until the final.

The final for the 2024-25 Champions League is set to be hosted at the Allianz Arena in Munich on 31 May 2025.

Why have the changes been made?

According to a statement on the UEFA website the changes are 'designed to secure the positive future of European football at every level and meet the evolving needs of all its stakeholders.

'Unequivocally confirming joint commitment to the principle of open competition and sporting merit across the continent, the common purpose has also been to sustain domestic leagues.'

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added 'This new format supports the status and future of the domestic game throughout Europe as well.

'It 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.

'The 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.'