This is the new format of the Champions League: when it starts, how many teams there will be and all the changes

L. Fernandez

Madrid

Updated Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The next Champions League season will be very different from how we know it

UEFA has announced this week what the new format of the Champions League will be like.

A fairly important change in the configuration of the tournament since the group stage is completely modified and will be implemented from the next 2024 - 2025 season.

THE NEW FORMAT OF THE CHAMPIONS: WHAT IT IS AND TEAMS

This new format of the Champions League will have more teams, going from the current 32 to 36 clubs.

Furthermore, the group stage of the Champions League will be different. This tie is now called the League Phase and the teams will play up to eight games (four at home and four as visitors).

However, they will not be matches against three rivals - there will be back and forth - but rather they will be confrontations against different teams.

HOW PAIRINGS WILL BE MADE

To determine the matches in the League Phase, a classification will be made into four seeding groups.

Each team will face two rivals from each of those groups, playing one match against a club from each pot away from home and the other match at home.

WHAT WILL THE CLASSIFICATION FOR OCTAVES BE LIKE THEN?

By changing the group stage and starting to play a kind of "liguilla" the way to qualify for the round of 16 stage also changes.

Thus, all teams will compete in a common classification. The eight teams with the most points will advance directly to the round of 16.

While the clubs classified between 9th and 24th positions will play a two-legged playoff-type eliminator to seek their place in the round of 16.

Starting with the round of 16, the tournament will follow its current format.

WHY THE FORMAT IS CHANGED

The change in format of the Champions League responds to the demands of the clubs and the threat of creating a Super League. UEFA thus tries to adapt the competition model to current times.