New Champions League Format: What it means for clubs & fans | OneFootball

Every year the top clubs in Europe compete for the biggest continental competition, the UEFA Champions League. But for 2024/25 the format has changed.

The new Champions League format has turned the group stage into a European League, all against all, and fans are divided. We look at the big implications for clubs, members and fans.

The New Format

From Group Stage to League – A Total Change

UEFA has changed the entire paradigm of the Champions League to increase competition among clubs and the excitement of the qualifying phase. Before this season two teams from each four-team group would qualify for the round of 16. Now, the overall number of teams competing has increased from 32 to 36.

In the 2024/25 season, 36 teams will compete for the best possible position in the new league-style system. During this qualifying phase, each team will play eight games, four at home and four away. Rather than the previous home-and-away system against three opponents, teams will take on eight different opponents in the league phase.

Qualification and Competition Development

The Road to the Knockout Phase

Along with the changes in the qualification format, the route to the knockout phase has also been changed. Now the top 24 teams after the eight games will qualify for the knockout phase with a big difference between the top eight and the rest.

The top eight teams of the league phase go directly to the round of 16. Those that finish from ninth to 24th will play in two-legged playoff ties to determine who joins the top eight.

Impact on Clubs

Opportunities and Challenges for Clubs

The changes in European football will bring big financial benefits to the clubs that participate. The extra games – two more in the league phase than before – mean more revenue from ticket sales and broadcasting. The new format will increase the total number of games from 125 to 189.

But these extra games may prove harmful amid a congested fixture calendar. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner currently sidelined with an ACL injury, is one of several leading figures to have argued that the demands on players at top clubs is too much, risking serious injuries and inconsistency.

The new format has been designed to incorporate more fixtures between the top teams earlier in the competition. However, it also gives the lower-ranked teams more ‘winnable’ fixtures to improve the overall competitiveness.

Fans’ View

Mixed Reactions Among Fans

The Champions League restructure has divided football fans. Changes are always greeted with caution and only time will tell th differences and benefits of this new format.

For now, the concerns about the extra games per season are clear. Teams will have a much tighter schedule which can affect the crucial part of the season and cost points in national leagues and international competitions. Fans are also worried about the cost as more games will put greater financial pressure on fans who loyally follow their teams throughout the season.

Wider Impact on European Football

The Future of Football

The format change will also impact the domestic leagues. With more midweek games, many clubs will see their squads stretched between the Champions League and their domestic league.

Clubs with less resources could struggle to keep up with the demands of competing in both competition, with the additional games favouring the larger sides with squads stacked with depth.

Conclusion: What to Expect?

The new Champions League format will have more games and teams – and more revenue for clubs and involved companies. However, concerns about the number of games per season and the elitism of the competition remain. UEFA are hopeful the changes will be positive to their flagship competition, though financially-driven decisions could damage the Champions League product.

Read – Champions League highlights: Amorim & Gyokeres destroy City, Real stunned, Diaz delights

See more – Iconic Performances: Thierry Henry’s irresistible display at Inter

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