UEFA has revealed a shake-up of the format used in its European competitions, with a new league system replacing the traditional group phase.
The new method will run across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League and be implemented from the start of next season.
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Featuring 36 teams instead of the current 32, teams will play eight matches – four home and four away, against two teams from the four seeding pots.
The results of every match will go towards one league system, from which the top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16. Teams that finish between ninth and 24th will play off to also go through with the teams that finish below 24th eliminated from all European competition.
From the round of 16, the competition will revert to its traditional two-legged knock-out format until the one-off final.
???? Presenting the new #UCL format from 2024/25…
What will change, what will stay the same, what it means for fans ????
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2024
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “UEFA has clearly shown that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model.
“I am really pleased that it was a unanimous decision of the UEFA Executive Committee, with the European Club Association, European Leagues and national associations all agreeing with the proposal made. Another proof that European football is more united than ever.”
