UEFA will make drastic changes to the format of the Champions League, the European Football Association announced on Tuesday. For example, the number of group matches will be increased to eight and the allocation based on the club coefficient will be discontinued. In the new set-up, the 36 participating clubs no longer play in a fixed group, but everyone meets eight different participants. The eight best clubs then qualify for the next round, the numbers 9 to 24 play the play-offs for a place in the last sixteen.
In mid-April, it was already announced that a new format of the Champions League would come. At the time, the UEFA executive committee decided during a meeting in Montreux, Switzerland that the Champions League would be played in a so-called Swiss model from the 2024/25 season. On Tuesday, after consultation with various parties, an agreement was reached, in which not all points of the European Football Association have been granted. For example, UEFA wanted ten group matches, which will be eight.
“We are convinced that the chosen format strikes the right balance,” said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. “This will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed among clubs, leagues and our continent. In addition, it will further increase the appeal and popularity of our club competitions. We have listened to the ideas of the fans, players, coaches, national associations, clubs and leagues with the aim of finding the best solution for the development and success of European football. Both at home and on the international stage.”
More soon.