Everything You Need to Know About the New Champions League Format Ahead of the Group Stage Draw

The draw for the revamped UEFA Champions League will take place today, Thursday, at 5 p.m. (UK time), marking a significant shift in the tournament's structure ahead of the 2024/25 season.

One of the most notable changes is the expansion of participating clubs, increasing from 32 to 36 teams. This shift introduces a new single league phase, replacing the traditional group stage format. In this new setup, all competing clubs will be part of one extensive league, significantly altering the dynamics of the competition.

The number of matches in the tournament will also rise, with the fixture count growing from 125 to 189. Unlike previous seasons where clubs played six group-stage matches against three opponents (home and away), each club will now compete in at least eight league-stage games against eight different opponents—four at home and four away.

Another key change is the timing of the league phase, which will now conclude in January instead of December. This alteration allows for a more extended and intense competition, with the champions expected to have played a total of 17 games by the end of the campaign.

The new format also reshapes the path to the knockout rounds. The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically advance to the knockout stages, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th place will enter a two-legged play-off to secure their spots in the final 16.

These sweeping changes promise to deliver an exciting and competitive tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling season of Champions League football.