Teams that finish in the top eight positions of the league phase will secure automatic spots in the knockout stages.
Teams ranked ninth through 24th will advance to a new play-off round, adding an additional stage to the Champions League competition.
These teams will compete in two-legged ties for a chance to join the top eight in the last 16.
Those finishing in 25th place or lower will be eliminated from the Champions League, with no chance to enter the Europa League as a fallback option.
Following the play-offs, the tournament will proceed with the familiar format of two-legged knockout rounds, culminating in a single-match final scheduled to take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.
What to Expect
Champions League fans may need some time to adjust to the new format.While the added games featuring Europe’s top teams might excite many, there’s a risk of fatigue affecting both players and spectators.
Clubs already managing a full schedule across various competitions might find the extended play burdensome, but it could also provide opportunities for younger players to shine on a bigger stage.
Maintaining high performance levels throughout the competition will be a challenge.
The expanded format might lead to star players being rested more frequently, potentially affecting the overall quality of matches.
While this could level the playing field and benefit underdog teams, it might also result in less thrilling encounters with unfamiliar line-ups.
The traditional “group of death” will be missed, as the absence of home-and-away fixtures against evenly matched opponents could diminish some of the usual drama and tension.
The potential for tougher matches against a broader range of clubs is intriguing, but it may reduce the excitement typically associated with group-stage battles.
Ultimately, the new Champions League format deserves a fair trial.
It might turn out to be a refreshing change, akin to the significant overhaul the competition underwent in the early 1990s.
