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The new Champions League is just around the corner. As explained in detail by UEFA, the main change is the abandonment of the current group stage system. Starting from the 2024-2025 season, the number of participating teams will increase from 32 to 36. In the first phase of the competition, the 36 qualified clubs will compete in a single league format.
All teams will play eight matches in the new single league phase (replacing the traditional group stage), facing eight different opponents, with half of the matches played at home and half away.
To determine the eight opponents, teams will be placed into four pots and drawn to play against two teams from each pot. The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the teams ranked from 9th to 24th (with those ranked 9th to 16th being seeded) will compete in knockout play-offs with home and away legs to complete the Round of 16 bracket. Teams finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated without relegation to the Europa League (another new feature).
From the Round of 16 onwards, the competition will continue to follow the current knockout format, with matches played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, leading to the final, which will be held at a neutral venue selected by UEFA. The final of the next edition is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
