Confused about the new Champions League format?
You’re not alone.
From the 2024/25 season, the Champions League format will change to be bigger, but will it be better?
Here at MysteryFootball, it’s no secret that we love all things football - shirts, scarves, balls. You name it, we’ve got it.
Does that include understanding the Champions League 2024/25 format?
Our team has joined heads to explain how the Champions League's new format will work and what to expect in the new season.
Right, enough warming up, let’s strike!
What Is the New Champions League Format?
Currently, the Champions League just isn’t that… a league.
The Champions League format change creates one league table that features 36 teams, rather than the previous 32. So, now there will be 189 matches overall instead of 125.
In the new league phase, eight matches will be played by each team.
To decide who plays who, seeding pots will be in charge - four to be exact! Every team will play two opposing teams chosen from these pots.
Rather than playing three teams twice, teams will play four home games and four away games.
Another change to the Champions League 2024/25 format is that two teams from the same league can now play each other at any level - not just from the quarter-finals.
For example, two Premier League teams could be against each other from the get-go!
How Does The Champions League Work Now?
The way the 32 original Champions League spots are allocated essentially remains the same - with the top 8 teams auto-qualifying for knockouts.
The teams 9th-25th will be in a two-legged play-off to decide the final 16.
How Do They Pick the Four New Spots?
The new four places will be given out as follows:
Slot 1: This is for the club that’s in third position in the league - and ranks fifth in the coefficient.
Slot 2: This spot is for the qualifying path. Previously, four teams used to enter the league from this way, but now it will be five.*
Slot 3: This place will be awarded to Europe’s best-performing league that season.**
Slot 4: Same as above**
*It’s important to note that this position will be for a domestic champion, rather than a team from the top 10 leagues.
**It’s important to note that if said team has automatically qualified, it will go to the next team in the league.
Why Is There A New Champions League Format to Begin With?
The reason why the Champions League format has changed? Well, that depends on who you ask.
According to the fans, it’s for more money. More games will always mean more revenue streams, such as advertising money, increased sponsorships, and broadcasting revenue.
However, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin states:
"UEFA has clearly shown today that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model.
"We are convinced that the format chosen strikes the right balance and that it will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed to clubs, leagues and into grassroots football across our continent while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitions."
Sounds like it should be a win-win for everyone involved on paper, but we’ll see what happens when they’re on the pitch…
So, What Does This Mean for Football? Hear What Our Experts Say
According to our Company Director, Matt Cole:
“For me, there is no such thing as ‘too much football’ for the clubs and the players - however, I can understand why these changes aren’t welcomed with open arms.
“It has been hard enough to manage intensity, composure, and fitness levels over the past few years as it is, and it is now going to get even more difficult.
“I am really excited to see how clubs navigate this, and I am looking forward to seeing it all unfold!”
Key Dates to Know for the Champions League 2024/25
Below we have listed key dates you need to know for:
- League qualifying matches
- League-stage matches
- Knockout stages
League Qualifying Dates
Everyone’s got to start somewhere, these are the qualifying dates.
First Qualifier: 9-10 and 16-17 July
Second Qualifier: 23-24 and 30-31 July
Third Qualifier: 6-7 and 13 August
Play-offs: 20-21 and 27-28 August
Stage Matches Qualifying Dates
The dates you need to know for the 2024/25 season league-stage matches are:
Matchday 1: 17-19 September
Matchday 2: 1-2 October
Matchday 3: 22-23 October
Matchday 4: 5-6 November
Matchday 5: 26-27 November
Matchday 6: 10-11 December
Matchday 7: 21-22 January
Matchday 8: 29 January
Knockout Dates
The important ones! These dates lead to the final…
Knockout round play-offs: 11-12 and 18-19 February
Round of 16: 4-5 and 11-12 March
Quarter-finals: 8-9 and 15-16 April
Semi-finals: 29-30 April and 6-7 May
Speaking of the end, the Champions League 2024/25 final will be on 21 May 2025 in Munich.
First the Euros and now this! Germany has been home to all the competitions recently!
How Will the 2024/25 Champions League Format Change Impact the Europa and Europa Conference Leagues?
A similar change in format is happening for both the Europa and Europa Conference Leagues too! (The latter will now be known as the UEFA Conference League).
Both leagues will also now have 36 teams. For the former, this change means there will be eight matches and so eight opponents in each phase. For the latter, it will be six matches and six opponents.
And who knows, maybe they’ll be a mystery shirt box that features the Champions League teams…
Make sure to keep an eye out on our mystery football shirt boxes page!
