Frank Christian
The UEFA Champions League is set to embark on a new chapter with the upcoming draw for the competition scheduled to take place in Nyon.
The 2024/25 season sees an increase in the number of participating teams from 32 to 36, leading to the introduction of a new league phase.
Instead of the traditional group stage, the clubs will now compete in a single league format known as “the Swiss model,” where each team will play eight games against different opponents.
After the league phase, the top eight teams will advance to the Round of 16, while teams ranking ninth to 24th will participate in a playoff to secure their spots. The bottom 12 teams will be out of European competition without a chance to drop down to the Europa League.
So, what changes can we expect at the draw with Giorgio Marchetti leading the proceedings with his iconic pots and balls? Let’s break it down.
Explaining the UEFA Champions League Draw Process
During the draw, a team’s eight opponents will be determined by UEFA’s software after the clubs are drawn from assigned pots.
Teams are divided into four pots based on their club coefficients, ensuring each team faces two clubs from each pot. This setup prevents teams from the same country from playing each other and limits facing more than two clubs from one nation.
With the use of AI technology, the draw streamlines the process, removing the need for numerous balls and bowls seen in the previous setup.
UEFA Champions League Schedule for 2024-25
League Phase:
- Matchday One: Sept. 17-19, 2024
- Matchday Two: Oct. 1-2, 2024
- Matchday Three: Oct. 22-23, 2024
- Matchday Four: Nov. 5-6, 2024
- Matchday Five: Nov. 26-27, 2024
- Matchday Six: Dec. 10-11, 2024
- Matchday Seven: Jan. 21-22, 2025
- Matchday Eight: Jan. 29, 2025
Knockout Phase:
- Knockout-round playoffs: Feb. 11-12 & Feb. 18-19, 2025
- Round of 16: Mar. 4-5 & Mar. 11-12, 2025
- Quarterfinals: Apr. 8-9 & Apr. 15-16, 2025
- Semifinals: Apr. 29-30 & May 6-7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025
The league phase in the new format spans from September to January, with subsequent knockout stages occurring from February to May. The season concludes with the Champions League final on May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
