Frank Christian
The UEFA Champions League for 2024/25 introduces significant changes to Europe’s premier soccer competition.
For the first time ever, the tournament will move away from the traditional group stages to a ‘league phase’, with an increase in teams from 32 to 36.
With more teams and matches involved, controversy arises as the game schedule expands under a new format for players and fans to adjust to.
UEFA is optimistic that these changes will lead to a more exciting competition with top clubs facing each other more often, but the modifications have led to a delay in confirming fixtures.
When are the UEFA Champions League fixtures announced for 2024/25?
The draw for the UEFA Champions League’s new ‘league phase’ occurred on August 29. However, the final fixture list won’t be released until August 31, as part of an altered process.
In the past, fixtures were disclosed shortly after the group stage draw, but this time around, more time is required to finalize the list due to the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League draws on August 30.
UEFA will coordinate with domestic leagues to set up fixtures, and the additional planning accounts for the delay in confirming the schedule.
New UEFA Champions League format explained: What’s different for 2024/25?
The primary change for this season’s Champions League is the replacement of the group stage with a new ‘league phase’ and an increase in competing teams from 32 to 36.
Previously, 32 teams would advance to the initial phase, divided into eight groups of four teams using seedings. This was known as the ‘group stage’.
Starting from 2024/25, all 36 teams will participate in a league format in the first phase. Each team will play eight matches (four home and four away).
A total of 16 teams will advance from this league stage to the knockout phase, which kicks off with the Round of 16 and follows the standard format of two-legged ties culminating in the final.
UEFA Champions League schedule 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: TBC
- Quarterfinals: TBC
- Semifinals: TBC
- Final: May 31, 2025
The adjustment in the Champions League format extends the duration of the initial phase, now called the “league phase.” Matchday One starts on September 17, with the final Matchday Eight set for January 29, 2025.
The knockout phase’s playoff round is in mid-February, with subsequent elimination stages slated for March, April, and May.
The 2024/25 Champions League final will be hosted at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025.
How to purchase Champions League tickets for 2024/25
Once the Champions League fixtures’ dates and times are confirmed, the ticketing process will commence. Except for the final, UEFA doesn’t sell tickets directly for European matches.
Participating clubs manage primary ticket sales to ensure fans can easily access them similar to other matches.
After distribution, fans can acquire tickets through secondary markets, with StubHub International being a recommended platform for Champions League game tickets.
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- List of UEFA Champions League winners by year
How to watch Champions League worldwide
For UEFA Champions League matches around the globe, here are the ways to watch in selected major regions:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| India | Sony TEN | JioTV, Sony LIV |
| UK | TNT Sport | discovery+ |
| USA | CBS, CBSSN, Univision, TUDN, UniMas |
Fubo, Paramount+, ViX or ViX+ |
