Revolutionizing the UEFA Champions League: Significant Format Changes Unveiled for 2024-25 Season
The current format of the UEFA Champions League is set for a substantial shake-up, and details are emerging about what football enthusiasts, particularly those devoted to the prestigious tournament, can expect starting from the next season. It’s now evident that from the 2024-25 season onward, all European competitions will undergo significant format changes. While the complete details of the anticipated format are yet to be unveiled by European football’s governing body, some insights have been shared about the Champions League.
Giorgio Marchetti, the Deputy Secretary-General and Director of Football at UEFA, offered a preview of what fans can anticipate, speaking to the Italian press, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting some key details.
The most notable change is the shift to a system of 4 groups of 9 teams each.
«The current group stage, consisting of 8 small groups of 4 teams each, with home and away matches, often leads to matches of little interest on the fifth and sixth matchdays», explained Giorgio Marchetti.
This change promises a complete upheaval in the schedule, revealing that the first phase of the Champions League will be played from September to January.
The first matchday will take place in an exclusive week, with matches spread across three days – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Additionally, the last matchday will occur simultaneously with a massive multiplex event to prioritize fairness.
More details are expected to be unveiled imminently when UEFA publishes the new regulations for the Champions League and all associated competitions.
