Champions League 2024/25: New Format Explained
A guide to the changes and what they mean
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season will see a number of changes, including a new format. The tournament will expand to 36 teams, with the group stage being replaced by a single league table. The top eight teams in the league will qualify for the knockout stages.
What will change?
The biggest change is the introduction of a single league table for the group stage. This means that each team will play every other team in their group twice. This will make the competition more competitive and ensure that only the best teams qualify for the knockout stages.
Another change is the introduction of a play-off round for the teams that finish outside the top eight in the league table. The winners of this play-off round will qualify for the knockout stages.
What will stay the same?
The knockout stages will remain the same format, with the 16 teams playing two-legged ties. The away goals rule will still apply, but it will be abolished from the 2024/25 season.
When are the 2024/25 Champions League draws?
The 2024/25 Champions League draws will take place on the following dates:
- Second qualifying round: 18 June 2024
- Third qualifying round: 19 June 2024
The Champions League has undergone a drastic revamp ahead of the 2024/25 season which sees the number of matches in the new format increase.
The new format will see each team play 10 matches in the group stage, as opposed to the current six.
The top eight teams in the league table will qualify for the knockout stages, with the remaining eight teams playing in a play-off to determine who will join them.
The changes are designed to make the tournament more competitive and exciting, and to give more teams a chance to qualify for the knockout stages.
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