UEFA Champions League to Expand to 36-Team Format in 2024-25
New League Phase Format to Debut in 70th Season
Key Changes Include Single-Table League and Increased Number of Matches
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has confirmed details of the major reforms to the UEFA Champions League that will take effect in the 2024-25 season. The most significant change is the expansion of the league phase to 36 teams, replacing the current 32-team format that has been in place since 1999.
The 36 teams will compete in a single league, ranked by a single table. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the knockout phase, while the teams finishing between 9th and 24th will enter a two-legged play-off to determine the remaining eight knockout spots.
The new format will increase the number of matches in the league phase from the current 125 to 189. This will provide more revenue for UEFA and the clubs participating in the competition.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said that the new format is "designed to make the Champions League more exciting and competitive." He also said that it will "give more clubs the chance to compete at the highest level and increase the number of high-quality matches for fans."
The changes to the Champions League have been met with mixed reactions from clubs and fans. Some have welcomed the expansion, saying that it will make the competition more inclusive and exciting. Others have expressed concerns about the increased number of matches and the potential for fixture congestion.
The new format of the UEFA Champions League will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the competition. It remains to be seen whether the changes will be positive or negative, but they are sure to make the Champions League one of the most talked-about topics in football for the next several years.
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