Following the draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League held in Monaco on Thursday, here’s an overview of the updated format for Europe’s premier club competition:
Expanded Format
The Champions League will now feature 36 teams, up from the previous 32. This increase includes an additional spot for France’s Ligue 1, which now has three automatic qualifiers, and one extra place each for Germany and Italy, the top two leagues based on UEFA’s coefficient rankings.
An additional slot is also available for a national champion emerging from the qualifying rounds, which are concluding this week.
Changes to the Group Stage
Previously, the competition had 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
This format has been replaced with a “Swiss system,” more common in chess.
All 36 teams will now play in a single league, facing eight other teams—two from each of four seeded pots—over the course of eight matches, four home and four away.
This new system aims to increase matchups between top teams earlier in the tournament.
Increased Number of Matches
In the new format, teams will play a total of 144 matches, compared to 96 in the old group stage.
The expanded group stage will now extend into January, with two additional matchdays added to accommodate the new format.
Knockout Phase Adjustments
At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams will advance directly to the last 16.
Teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a new play-off round, featuring two-legged ties to secure the remaining spots in the knockout stage.
These play-offs will be seeded based on league positions.
The bottom 12 teams will be eliminated, with no progression to the Europa League as in previous formats.
This overhaul is designed to enhance competition and provide more high-stakes matches throughout the tournament, reflecting UEFA’s response to the challenges posed by proposed changes like the breakaway Super League.
