The Champions League is set to enter a new era with a significant overhaul of its format ahead of the 2024/25 season. The draw for the revamped competition will take place today at 5 pm (UK time), marking the beginning of a new chapter in European football’s most prestigious tournament.
One of the most notable changes is the expansion of participating clubs from 32 to 36, leading to the replacement of the traditional group stage with a single league phase that includes all teams. This shift means the number of fixtures will increase from 125 to 189, offering fans more high-stakes action than ever before.
In this new format, each club is guaranteed a minimum of eight league-stage games against eight different opponents—four at home and four away—compared to the previous six matches against three teams. The league phase will now conclude at the end of January instead of December, extending the excitement of the competition.
The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically advance to the knockout stages. Teams finishing between ninth and 24th place will enter a two-legged play-off to secure a spot in the last 16, while those ranked 25th to 36th will be eliminated from all European competitions.
This new format promises to bring even more drama and intensity to the Champions League, as clubs vie for the coveted trophy under a completely reimagined structure.
