With the growing popularity of football worldwide, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has decided to implement a new format for the UEFA Champions League starting in the 2024/25 season. The goal is to increase the number of matches for fans to enjoy and create more opportunities for major clubs to meet earlier in the competition. How does the new system work, and how does it compare to the previous format? This article by V9Bet will help you find out.
new format for the UEFA Champions League
The new UEFA Champions League format for the 2024/25 season will see the number of participating teams increase from 32 to 36. Additionally, UEFA has revamped the group stage system, replacing it with a league format where each team plays 8 matches. The teams will face different opponents without home and away legs, intensifying the competition. This change increases the number of matches from 125 to 189 throughout the tournament.
Teams ranked 1-8 will automatically advance to the round of 16, while those ranked 9-24 will compete in a playoff for the remaining spots. Teams ranked 25-36 will be eliminated without qualifying for the UEFA Europa League. After the playoffs, the competition will return to its traditional knockout format, culminating in the final at the Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025.
List of 36 teams participating in the UCL season 2024/25
36 teams participating in the UCL season 2024/25
The seeding system will play a crucial role in the new format of the UEFA Champions League. The seeding process divides teams into four pots, with each pot consisting of four teams. This arrangement allows stronger teams in higher pots to face easier competition in the league stage, which is different from the previous format where top teams might be grouped together early on.
Teams will play eight matches in the league stage. Each club will be matched against eight different teams, with no home-and-away games. Teams will face two clubs from each pot, play four home matches, and travel for four away games. Clubs from the same country won't meet in the league stage, and each team will face opponents from no more than two other countries.
In the 2024-2025 draw, UEFA will use an advanced computer system called "AE Live" to ensure a fair and random draw. Auditors from Ernst & Young will verify the process for accuracy.
Pot 1
Pot 2
Pot 3
Pot 4
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Stay updated with the new UEFA Champions League format
The top contender for the 2024/25 Champions League is still up for debate. Some remain confident that defending champions Real Madrid, who have won the trophy 15 times, will once again claim glory at Allianz Arena, especially with the addition of superstar Kylian Mbappé to their attacking lineup. However, Premier League fans believe Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will make a strong comeback and win the title, as they have remained unbeaten in 50 consecutive matches across all competitions.
The third favorite is a bit of a surprise but worth rooting for—Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta. The team has shown remarkable improvement, and despite their historical struggles in European competitions, this season, the “Gunners” seem ready to take on any challenge. Lastly, Bayern Munich, who had a disappointing season last year, are the fourth favorites. The German giants, filled with European experience and now performing well under Vincent Kompany, are determined to play in the final at their home stadium.
Read more >> Gerard Piqué, Former Spanish Star, Makes Early Champions League Prediction
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The new UEFA Champions League format is incredibly exciting. Not only does it offer more matches for fans to enjoy, but it also provides smaller clubs with a better chance to reach the knockout stages. Importantly, every game matters, meaning there’s no room for teams to rotate players thinking they’re already through. This makes every match thrilling, and V9Bet is ready to deliver all the action straight to your smartphone for free.