The UEFA Champions League is back with an expanded format for the 2024-25 season, featuring 36 teams competing for Europe’s most prestigious club football trophy. The tournament has undergone significant changes, introducing a new league phase and a revised knockout round qualification system. Here’s everything you need to know about the updated format.
How the New Champions League Format Works
This season, the competition has dropped the traditional group stage and replaced it with a single league phase, where all 36 teams are placed in one large league table.
Key Changes in the Format:
- League Phase:
- Each team will play eight matches against eight different opponents.
- Teams will face four opponents at home and four away.
- Matches will be determined based on seeded groups to ensure competitive balance.
- Qualification for the Knockout Stage:
- The top 8 teams in the league phase will automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
- Teams finishing in 9th to 24th place will enter a knockout playoff round to fight for the remaining 8 spots in the Round of 16.
- Teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated and will not be eligible for the Europa League or Conference League.
Why Did UEFA Introduce This New Format?
UEFA revamped the Champions League to:
- Increase Competition – More teams get a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds.
- Generate More Matches – Each club plays at least 8 games instead of 6 in the old format.
- Boost Revenue – More matches mean greater TV rights and sponsorship deals.
- Improve Fan Engagement – The league phase allows for more variety in matchups.
When Is the Champions League Final?
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League final will take place in May 2025 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Who Are the Favorites?
As always, Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and PSG, are expected to be strong contenders. With the new format, surprises could be in store as more teams have the opportunity to compete at a higher level.
This season’s Champions League promises more excitement, drama, and intense competition than ever before. With a fresh format and a league-style first phase, fans can expect thrilling matchups leading up to the knockout rounds. May the best team win!
Matchday 7
Tuesday, Jan. 21
- Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
- Atalanta 5-0 Sturm Graz
- Atletico Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen
- Bologna 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
- Club Brugge 0-0 Juventus
- Red Star Belgrade 2-3 PSV Eindhoven
- Liverpool 2-1 Lille — Recap, highlights & analysis
- Slovan Bratislava 1-3 Stuttgart
- Benfica 4-5 Barcelona
Wednesday, Jan. 22
- 12:45pm: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest
- 12:45pm: RB Leipzig vs Sporting Lisbon
- 3pm: AC Milan vs Girona
- 3pm: Sparta Prague vs Inter Milan
- 3pm: Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb
- 3pm: Celtic vs Young Boys
- 3pm: Feyenoord vs Bayern Munich
- 3pm: PSG vs Manchester City
- 3pm: Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg
Matchday 8
Wednesday, Jan. 29
- 3pm: Aston Villa vs Celtic
- 3pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs Sparta Prague
- 3pm: Borussia Dortmund vs Shakhtar Donetsk
- 3pm: Young Boys vs Red Star Belgrade
- 3pm: Barcelona vs Atalanta
- 3pm: Bayern Munich vs Slovan Bratislava
- 3pm: Inter Milan vs Monaco
- 3pm: RB Salzburg vs Atletico Madrid
- 3pm: Girona vs Arsenal
- 3pm: Dinamo Zagreb vs AC Milan
- 3pm: Juventus vs Benfica
- 3pm: Lille vs Feyenoord
- 3pm: Manchester City vs Club Brugge
- 3pm: PSV Eindhoven vs Liverpool
- 3pm: Sturm Graz vs RB Leipzig
- 3pm: Sporting Lisbon vs Bologna
- 3pm: Brest vs Real Madrid
- 3pm: Stuttgart vs PSG
