UEFA Champions League 2024-25: New Format, Draw Results, Schedule, and Everything You Need to Know

• The UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier club soccer tournament, is set to undergo significant changes starting from the 2024-25 season.
• The new format aims to enhance the competition’s appeal, increase the number of matches, and provide more opportunities for clubs to compete against each other.

New Format: Swiss Model

• The Champions League will expand from 32 to 36 teams, with the traditional group stage being replaced by a single league phase.
• All 36 teams will participate in the league phase, playing against eight different opponents (four home and four away matches).
• Teams will be ranked in a single league table based on their results.

Qualification and Allocation of Extra Spots

• The extra four spots will be allocated as follows:
  • One spot for the club ranked third in the league of the association in fifth position in the UEFA national association ranking (France’s Ligue 1 for 2024-25).
  • One spot for a domestic champion by extending the “Champions Path” from four to five teams.
  • Two spots for the associations with the best collective performance by their clubs in the previous season (UEFA club coefficient).

League Phase Draw

• The draw for the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League took place on August 29, 2024, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
• The 36 teams were divided into four pots of nine teams each based on their UEFA club coefficient.
• Each team was drawn to play against two opponents from each pot, with one match at home and one away.
• Teams from the same association could not be drawn against each other.

Notable Matches in the League Phase

• Liverpool hosting Real Madrid at Anfield (November 27, 2024)
• Manchester City away to Juventus (December 11, 2024)
• Barcelona versus Bayern Munich at Camp Nou (October 23, 2024)
• Arsenal hosting Paris Saint-Germain (October 1, 2024)

Advancement to the Knockout Stage

• The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically qualify for the round of 16.
• Teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in a two-legged playoff to determine the remaining eight spots in the round of 16.
• Teams ranked 25th to 36th will be eliminated from the competition, with no access to the UEFA Europa League.

Knockout Stage Format

• Round of 16: 16 teams (8 league phase winners and 8 playoff winners)
• Quarter-finals: 8 teams
• Semi-finals: 4 teams
• Final: 2 teams

Impact on Other UEFA Club Competitions

• Similar format changes will be applied to the UEFA Europa League (8 matches in the league phase) and the UEFA Europa Conference League (6 matches in the league phase).
• Each competition will have one exclusive week where no matches from the other two tournaments will be scheduled.

Financial Implications and Prize Money

• The expansion of the Champions League is expected to generate additional revenue from broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships; increase in prize money pool to $2.6 billion
• The prize money for clubs participating in the league phase will increase compared to the previous format.

Potential Challenges and Considerations

• The increased number of matches may raise concerns about player fatigue and overall match readiness, especially towards the end of the season.
• Clubs with less squad depth may face difficulties in managing the extended competition schedule.
• The new format could lead to more matches between Europe’s elite clubs, potentially widening the gap between them and the rest of the field.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

• The new format has generated mixed reactions from fans, with some excited about the prospect of more high-profile matches and others concerned about the impact on domestic leagues and the overall soccer calendar.
• The league phase is expected to create more excitement and unpredictability, as every match will carry significant weight in determining the final standings.

Historical Context and Evolution of the Champions League

• The European Champion Clubs’ Cup, the predecessor to the Champions League, was first held in 1955.
• The competition has undergone several changes over the years, including the introduction of the group stage in 1991 and the rebranding to the UEFA Champions League in 1992.
• The 2024-25 season marks another significant milestone in the tournament’s history, with the adoption of the Swiss model and the expansion to 36 teams.

Participating Teams and Representation by Country

• The 36 teams in the 2024-25 Champions League represent 16 different national associations.
• England, Germany, Italy, and Spain each have four teams in the competition.
• France has three teams, while Portugal, Netherlands, and Scotland have two each.
• Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland each have one representative.

Debutants and Notable Absences

• Aston Villa, Bologna, Brest, Girona, and Slovan Bratislava will make their debut appearances in the Champions League group stage (now league phase).
• Some notable teams missing from the 2024-25 edition include Ajax, Olympique Lyonnais, and FC Porto.

Favorites and Dark Horses

• Defending champions Real Madrid will be looking to extend their record-breaking tally of 15 Champions League titles.
• Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain are among the favorites to lift the trophy.
• Teams like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Juventus will also be strong contenders.
• The expanded format may provide opportunities for dark horses to emerge and make a deep run in the competition.

Potential Breakout Stars and Players to Watch

• The Champions League has often served as a platform for young talents to showcase their skills on the biggest stage.
• Some players to keep an eye on include Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), and Pedri (Barcelona).
• The league phase will also provide more chances for lesser-known players to make a name for themselves.

Also read: Lucas Paqueta Betting Update.

Tactical Trends and Innovations

• The new format may encourage coaches to experiment with different tactics and formations to navigate the expanded competition.
• With more matches against a diverse range of opponents, adaptability and squad rotation will be key factors for success.
• The league phase could see the emergence of new tactical trends and playing styles as teams adjust to the unique challenges posed by the Swiss model.

Broadcasting and Digital Coverage

• The Champions League is one of the most widely televised sporting events in the world, with broadcasts reaching over 200 countries and territories.
• UEFA’s broadcasting partners will provide comprehensive coverage of the 2024-25 season, including live matches, highlights, and analysis.
• The competition’s digital presence, including social media and online platforms, will keep fans engaged and informed throughout the season.

Wrap Up

• The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League promises to be an exciting and transformative edition of Europe’s premier club competition.
• The new format, featuring a 36-team league phase and an expanded knockout stage, aims to enhance the tournament’s competitiveness and appeal.
• While the changes have generated both anticipation and concerns, the Champions League remains the ultimate stage for the best clubs and players in European soccer.
• As the 2024-25 season unfolds, fans around the world will eagerly follow the action, with the hope of seeing their favorite teams and players make history in this new era of the UEFA Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo was awarded a special honor during the UEFA Champions League draw. He received recognition for being the all-time leading goalscorer in the competition’s history. This award was a testament to his remarkable achievements and contributions to the Champions League.

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Draw Results and Team Analysis

• Pot 1 teams:
  • Real Madrid (holders)
  • Manchester City
  • Bayern Munich
  • Paris Saint-Germain
  • Liverpool
  • Inter Milan
  • Borussia Dortmund
  • RB Leipzig
  • Barcelona
• Pot 2 teams:
  • Bayer Leverkusen
  • Atletico Madrid
  • Atalanta
  • Juventus
  • Benfica
  • Arsenal
  • Club Brugge
  • Shakhtar Donetsk
  • AC Milan
• Pot 3 teams:
  • Feyenoord
  • Sporting CP
  • PSV Eindhoven
  • Celtic
  • Dinamo Zagreb
  • Red Bull Salzburg
  • Lille
  • Red Star Belgrade
  • Young Boys
• Pot 4 teams:
  • Monaco
  • Aston Villa
  • Bologna
  • Girona
  • Stuttgart
  • Sturm Graz
  • Brest
  • Slovan Bratislava
  • Sparta Prague
• Notable matchups and analysis of key fixtures

League Phase

Matchday 1

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – BSC Young Boys vs. Aston Villa FC
• 12:45 p.m. – Juventus vs. PSV Eindhoven
• 3:00 p.m. – AC Milan vs. Liverpool FC
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Bayern München vs. GNK Dinamo
• 3:00 p.m. – Real Madrid C.F. vs. VfB Stuttgart
• 3:00 p.m. – Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. LOSC Lille

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – AC Sparta Praha vs. FC Salzburg
• 12:45 p.m. – Bologna FC 1909 vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
• 3:00 p.m. – Celtic FC vs. SK Slovan Bratislava
• 3:00 p.m. – Club Brugge KV vs. Borussia Dortmund
• 3:00 p.m. – Manchester City vs. FC Internazionale Milano
• 3:00 p.m. – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Girona FC

Thursday, September 19, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – Feyenoord vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• 12:45 p.m. – FK Crvena Zvezda vs. SL Benfica
• 3:00 p.m. – AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona
• 3:00 p.m. – Atalanta BC vs. Arsenal FC
• 3:00 p.m. – Atlético de Madrid vs. RB Leipzig
• 3:00 p.m. – Stade Brestois 29 vs. SK Sturm Graz

Matchday 2

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – FC Salzburg vs. Stade Brestois 29
• 12:45 p.m. – VfB Stuttgart vs. AC Sparta Praha
• 3:00 p.m. – Arsenal FC vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 p.m. – Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. AC Milan
• 3:00 p.m. – Borussia Dortmund vs. Celtic FC
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Barcelona vs. BSC Young Boys
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Internazionale Milano vs. FK Crvena Zvezda
• 3:00 p.m. – PSV Eindhoven vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal
• 3:00 p.m. – SK Slovan Bratislava vs. Manchester City

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Atalanta BC
• 12:45 p.m. – Girona FC vs. Feyenoord
• 3:00 p.m. – Aston Villa FC vs. FC Bayern München
• 3:00 p.m. – GNK Dinamo vs. AS Monaco
• 3:00 p.m. – Liverpool FC vs. Bologna FC 1909
• 3:00 p.m. – LOSC Lille vs. Real Madrid C.F.
• 3:00 p.m. – RB Leipzig vs. Juventus
• 3:00 p.m. – SK Sturm Graz vs. Club Brugge KV
• 3:00 p.m. – SL Benfica vs. Atlético de Madrid

Matchday 3

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – AC Milan vs. Club Brugge KV
• 12:45 p.m. – AS Monaco vs. FK Crvena Zvezda
• 3:00 p.m. – Arsenal FC vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
• 3:00 p.m. – Aston Villa FC vs. Bologna FC 1909
• 3:00 p.m. – Girona FC vs. SK Slovan Bratislava
• 3:00 p.m. – Juventus vs. VfB Stuttgart
• 3:00 p.m. – Paris Saint-Germain vs. PSV Eindhoven
• 3:00 p.m. – Real Madrid C.F. vs. Borussia Dortmund
• 3:00 p.m. – SK Sturm Graz vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – Atalanta BC vs. Celtic FC
• 12:45 p.m. – Stade Brestois 29 vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• 3:00 p.m. – Atlético de Madrid vs. LOSC Lille
• 3:00 p.m. – BSC Young Boys vs. FC Internazionale Milano
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Barcelona vs. FC Bayern München
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Salzburg vs. GNK Dinamo
• 3:00 p.m. – Manchester City vs. AC Sparta Praha
• 3:00 p.m. – RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool FC
• 3:00 p.m. – SL Benfica vs. Feyenoord

Matchday 4

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – PSV Eindhoven vs. Girona FC
• 12:45 p.m. – SK Slovan Bratislava vs. GNK Dinamo
• 3:00 p.m. – Bologna FC 1909 vs. AS Monaco
• 3:00 p.m. – Borussia Dortmund vs. SK Sturm Graz
• 3:00 p.m. – Celtic FC vs. RB Leipzig
• 3:00 p.m. – Liverpool FC vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• 3:00 p.m. – LOSC Lille vs. Juventus
• 3:00 p.m. – Real Madrid C.F. vs. AC Milan
• 3:00 p.m. – Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. Manchester City

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – Club Brugge KV vs. Aston Villa FC
• 12:45 p.m. – FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. BSC Young Boys
• 3:00 p.m. – AC Sparta Praha vs. Stade Brestois 29
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Bayern München vs. SL Benfica
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Internazionale Milano vs. Arsenal FC
• 3:00 p.m. – Feyenoord vs. FC Salzburg
• 3:00 p.m. – FK Crvena Zvezda vs. FC Barcelona
• 3:00 p.m. – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético de Madrid
• 3:00 p.m. – VfB Stuttgart vs. Atalanta

Matchday 5

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – AC Sparta Praha vs. Atlético de Madrid
• 12:45 p.m. – SK Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan
• 3:00 p.m. – Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. FC Salzburg
• 3:00 p.m. – BSC Young Boys vs. Atalanta BC
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Barcelona vs. Stade Brestois 29
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Bayern München vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Internazionale Milano vs. RB Leipzig
• 3:00 p.m. – Manchester City vs. Feyenoord
• 3:00 p.m. – Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. Arsenal FC

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – FK Crvena Zvezda vs. VfB Stuttgart
• 12:45 p.m. – SK Sturm Graz vs. Girona FC
• 3:00 p.m. – AS Monaco vs. SL Benfica
• 3:00 p.m. – Aston Villa FC vs. Juventus
• 3:00 p.m. – Bologna FC 1909 vs. LOSC Lille
• 3:00 p.m. – Celtic FC vs. Club Brugge KV
• 3:00 p.m. – GNK Dinamo vs. Borussia Dortmund
• 3:00 p.m. – Liverpool FC vs. Real Madrid C.F.
• 3:00 p.m. – PSV Eindhoven vs. FC Shakhtar

Matchday 6

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – Girona FC vs. Liverpool FC
• 12:45 p.m. – GNK Dinamo vs. Celtic FC
• 3:00 p.m. – Atalanta BC vs. Real Madrid C.F.
• 3:00 p.m. – Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. FC Internazionale Milano
• 3:00 p.m. – Club Brugge KV vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Salzburg vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 p.m. – FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. FC Bayern München
• 3:00 p.m. – RB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa FC
• 3:00 p.m. – Stade Brestois 29 vs. PSV Eindhoven

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

• 12:45 p.m. – Atlético de Madrid vs. SK Slovan Bratislava
• 12:45 p.m. – LOSC Lille vs. SK Sturm Graz
• 3:00 p.m. – AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda
• 3:00 p.m. – Arsenal FC vs. AS Monaco
• 3:00 p.m. – Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Barcelona
• 3:00 p.m. – Feyenoord vs. AC Sparta Praha
• 3:00 p.m. – Juventus vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 p.m. – SL Benfica vs. Bologna FC 1909
• 3:00 p.m. – VfB Stuttgart vs. BSC Young Boys

Matchday 7

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

• 12:45 p.m. – AS Monaco vs. Aston Villa FC
• 12:45 p.m. – Atalanta BC vs. SK Sturm Graz
• 3:00 p.m. – Atlético de Madrid vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• 3:00 p.m. – Bologna FC 1909 vs. Borussia Dortmund
• 3:00 p.m. – Club Brugge KV vs. Juventus
• 3:00 p.m. – FK Crvena Zvezda vs. PSV Eindhoven
• 3:00 p.m. – Liverpool FC vs. LOSC Lille
• 3:00 p.m. – SK Slovan Bratislava vs. VfB Stuttgart
• 3:00 p.m. – SL Benfica vs. FC Barcelona

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

• 12:45 p.m. – FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Stade Brestois 29
• 12:45 p.m. – RB Leipzig vs. Sporting Clube de Portugal
• 3:00 p.m. – AC Milan vs. Girona FC
• 3:00 p.m. – AC Sparta Praha vs. FC Internazionale Milano
• 3:00 p.m. – Arsenal FC vs. GNK Dinamo
• 3:00 p.m. – Celtic FC vs. BSC Young Boys
• 3:00 p.m. – Feyenoord vs. FC Bayern München
• 3:00 p.m. – Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 p.m. – Real Madrid C.F. vs. FC Salzburg

Matchday 8

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 All games will kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET

• Aston Villa FC vs. Celtic FC
• Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. AC Sparta Praha
• Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
• BSC Young Boys vs. FK Crvena Zvezda
• FC Barcelona vs. Atalanta BC
• FC Bayern München vs. SK Slovan Bratislava
• FC Internazionale Milano vs. AS Monaco
• FC Salzburg vs. Atlético de Madrid
• Girona FC vs. Arsenal FC
• GNK Dinamo vs. AC Milan
• Juventus vs. SL Benfica
• LOSC Lille vs. Feyenoord
• Manchester City vs. Club Brugge KV
• PSV Eindhoven vs. Liverpool FC
• SK Sturm Graz vs. RB Leipzig
• Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. Bologna FC 1909
• Stade Brestois 29 vs. Real Madrid C.F.
• VfB Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Knockout Phase

Knockout Round Play-offs

• First Leg: February 11-12, 2025
• Second Leg: February 18-19, 2025

Round of 16

• Dates TBC

Quarter-finals

• Dates TBC

Semi-finals

• Dates TBC

Final

• May 31, 2025 at Allianz Arena, Munich

Here is the complete schedule of matches for the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, with dates and times (all times are in ET).

FAQs:

Related Resources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_UEFA_Champions_League
• https://en.as.com/soccer/champions-league-fixtures-202425-dates-and-times-of-every-game-in-ucl-league-phase-n/
• https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41052654/2024-25-champions-league-full-fixtures-schedule-league-phase
• https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2024/8/29/format-teams-dates-the-uefa-champions-league-2024-25-season-explained
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024%E2%80%9325_UEFA_Europa_League
• https://en.as.com/soccer/when-does-the-202425-champions-league-start-league-phase-matchweek-dates-n/
• https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0268-12157d69ce2d-9f011c70f6fa-1000–new-format-for-champions-league-post-2024-everything-you-ne/
• https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0287-1964b9b0f4ce-e069b2345f39-1000–2024-25-uefa-champions-league-matches-draw-final-key-dates/
• Complete Draw Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oL1GSXQ1Nc