UEFA have launched a new video which explains how European tournaments will be played from the 2024/25 season. The Champions League will increase to a 36-team tournament.
How does the new European format look?
Group stage matches are official scrapped. Instead, UEFA are bringing in a ‘league phase’. The ‘league phase’ will feature 36 teams in all of UEFA’s competitions. Each team will be drawn against eight different opponents – playing four games at home and four away.
However, in the Europa Conference League, each team will play six opponents.
An exciting new era for European club football awaits 🤩
Here’s how the #UCL will look from 2024/25 👇 pic.twitter.com/mEffFOpX2O
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2024
For a team to qualify for the round of 16, they must finish in the top eight of the 36-team league. Positions 9-24, will be thrown into a knockout round where they will fight for a place in the round of 16. All teams who finish in 25-36 will be eliminated.
Onwards, the Champions League format will remain as it is with the traditional knockout rounds leading up to the final.
Why are UEFA adding more teams to their format?
In the Premier League, 5th place could now be a Champions League spot. UEFA are adding five more teams into the Champions League – one from each of the ‘big leagues’. For the Premier League to make fifth place a Champions League spot depends on how the Premier League clubs do in the competition.
Two of the four clubs that made it to the Champions League last season are already out. It’s left to Arsenal and Manchester City to go far in the competition and make 5th place an active Champions League spot for the Premier League.
Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa will be hoping Arsenal and Manchester City go far to ensure a better chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
UEFA claims that this will make their competitions ‘more open’ and ‘based on sporting merit’. The fans would disagree with that statement.
Reactions to the new European format
Over on Twitter, fans have been vocal on their thoughts about the new European format.
You guys have completely spoil this beautiful game
— Gowies 💫 (@Badgowies) March 4, 2024
Super league by another name
— Gold (@Gold227303) March 4, 2024
Why change when the old one was perfect.
— 🇸🇪 (@RMCFhugge) March 4, 2024
Not exciting in the slightest.
The moment the “Champions League” started letting in 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams it become something other than “Champions League”.
All you think about is money and not the players.
— Dave 데이비드 🇮🇪🇩🇪🇰🇷 (@DaveKnapovic) March 4, 2024
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