Champions League Draw
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has introduced a new format, expanding from 32 to 36 teams, which now compete in a “league phase” rather than the traditional group stage. Here’s what you need to know about the draw and the new format:
- Draw Date: The draw for this new league phase took place on August 29, 2024.
- New Format: Instead of groups, all 36 teams are now part of a single league. Each team will play eight matches, facing opponents from different seeding pots. The top eight teams from this league phase automatically advance to the Round of 16, while teams ranked from ninth to 24th enter a playoff round for the remaining spots in the knockout stage.
- Key Dates:
- The league phase matches are scheduled to conclude by late January, extending beyond the usual December group stage finish.
- The final is set for May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
- Financials: This season sees an increase in the prize money distributed among the clubs, totaling $2.6 billion, up from $2.2 billion the previous season, although this is now shared among 36 clubs instead of 32.
- Team Fixtures: Teams like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and others have been drawn against various opponents for both home and away games, reflecting the new format where each team plays a mix of high and lower-ranked teams.
- Public Reaction: From posts on X, fans and analysts have been discussing the complexity and excitement of the new draw, with some humorously noting the challenge in making sense of the new structure due to its innovative approach.
This new format aims to increase competitiveness and viewer interest by ensuring more matches between top teams throughout the season, rather than just in the knockout stages. The introduction of this “Swiss model” for the Champions League marks a significant change in how European football’s premier club competition is structured.
