Frank Christian
The UEFA Champions League is evolving significantly for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Real Madrid clinched their 15th title in 2023/24 by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final, concluding an era of this prestigious club competition.
This season, there are notable alterations in the early stages of the tournament. The format is shifting from a group phase to a ‘league phase’, with an extended list of participating clubs and an increased number of matches per team. UEFA aims to enhance the competitiveness and excitement of the tournament by having elite clubs face each other more frequently.
Explore the revamped format details ahead of the Champions League draw set for August 29.
Key Changes in UEFA Champions League Format for 2024/25
The primary change in this season’s Champions League is replacing the group stage with a new ‘league phase’ and expanding the number of teams from 32 to 36.
In the former format, 32 teams entered the initial phase and were distributed into eight groups of four, utilizing seedings to determine placements—a setup known as the ‘group stage’.
Starting 2024/25, the competition’s first phase involves all 36 teams in a league format. Each team will play eight matches (four at home, four away) against specific opponents decided in the upcoming draw. Sixteen teams will progress from this league phase to the knockout stage, commencing with the Round of 16 and continuing through the usual two-legged ties culminating in the final.
Participating Teams in the 2024/25 Champions League
The draw for this season will feature 36 teams for the league phase, accommodating an increase of four teams compared to recent seasons. These additional spots were distributed to nations with the highest UEFA co-efficient scores, which, based on the previous season, include Germany and Italy.
Review the updated list of qualified teams here, with final spots to be determined after the ongoing qualifying rounds.
Explanation of the ‘Swiss Model’ Adopted by the Champions League
The Champions League’s new format, known as the “Swiss model,” signifies the shift to the ‘league phase’ for the opening round of the tournament.
Gain insights into this concept and UEFA’s rationale for its adoption here.
Comprehending the ‘League Phase’ System
In the new league phase, 36 teams will compete in a single table, doing away with smaller group divisions.
A draw will determine the match-ups in this initial phase, where each team plays eight opponents (four home, four away), earning points as per standard league scoring (three for a win, one for a draw). At phase end, the top eight teams progress directly to the Round of 16, while positions 9 to 24 partake in playoffs. These playoff ties will decide additional qualifiers for the Round of 16.
The bottom 12 teams post-league phase are eliminated. The draw, akin to previous seedings, offers varied match-ups for teams based on Champions League history and standing, fostering competitive clashes early on.
Impact on Europa League Qualification and Knockout Phase
Teams that finish in the bottom 12 during the league phase do not fall back to the Europa League from 2024/25. Instead, they are completely out of European contention for that season.
Despite the revamped league phase, minimal changes are seen in the knockout stage. Sixteen teams qualify for the Round of 16, with the top eight from the league table and winners of playoff ties advancing. The knockout progression follows the traditional two-legged ties until the final.
Important Dates: 2025 Champions League Final
The 2025 Champions League final is scheduled for May 31 at the Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich.
Get additional details about the final and explore past venues here.
