What is the New Format of the UEFA Champions League from 2024–25
Want to know what the new format of the UCL is? Here is the complete guide that will help you understand the new Champions League format starting from season 2024–25. From the next season, 36 teams will play the proper competition. With the new format, more games will be between the top European teams from the start of the proper tournament.
Explanation of New Format
League Phase: From the season 2024–25, the UEFA Champions League will be played in the League phase. Every team will play a total of 8 league matches against 4 teams in the home and away format. After all league phase matches, teams will be ranked from 1 to 36 positions based on their performances.
Direct Qualification to Round of 16: The top 8 teams in the league phase will directly qualify for the knock round i.e. Round of 16. Also, these 8 teams will qualify for the next UCL season automatically.
Round of 16 Play-Offs: Teams ranked from 9 to 24 will play the playoffs to decide the remaining 8 teams of the Round of 16. From playoffs, the qualified 8 teams will play against the top 8 teams of the league phase.
Eliminated teams: Teams ranked from 25 to 36 will be eliminated from the UEFA Champions League. The eliminated teams will not play UEFA Europa League.
Thereafter, Round of 16 and Quarter Final knock-out rounds will be played in the same format. The Semi-Finals and Final will be played in 1 leg in a neutral venue.
