As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League begins, the viewers will see a new format with 36 teams competing for the most sought-after club competition for teams based in Europe.
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will feature a revamped format, expanding from 32 to 36 participating teams., this is the first time in the history of the competition that will have more than 32 teams. The new format also means more games for every club due to this league format.
The key changes in the new Champions League format
(1) Single League Stage: The traditional group stage is replaced by a single league phase, where all 36 teams compete against each other in a unified table.
(2) Eight Matches: Each team will play eight matches against eight different opponents, with four home games and four away games, ensuring a diverse range of fixtures.
( 3 ) New Knockout Phase: The top eight teams in the league table will qualify directly for the round of 16. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to secure their spot in the knockout phase.
(4) Increased Matches: The new format increases the total number of matches from 125 to 189, with the ultimate winners playing 17 games across the competition.
Everything you need to know about the new Champions League;
(1) Each team will face two teams from each of the four pots, with four matches played at home and the remaining four played away.
(2) One team can play a maximum of two teams from the same country in the League Phase.
These changes aim to increase competition, unpredictability, and excitement in the UEFA Champions League while providing more opportunities for teams to compete against diverse opponents.
When is the UEFA Champions League begin?
The league phase will now be completed at the end of January 2025, instead of during December, while there will be weeks exclusively dedicated to the Champions League in the football calendar when no other European competitions are played.
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