Sports: Football Match - The upcoming Champions League season's format and rules are explored.
In the upcoming Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League seasons, a new format will be implemented. This change is meant to heighten excitement and generate billions in profits, although it may be odd to some initially.
How many teams will compete in the Champions League in the future?
The number of teams in the Champions League will increase by four, totalling 36 teams. Of these additional spots, two will be awarded to leagues with the best performing teams from the current European Cup season. As a result, Italy and Germany have been granted a fifth spot for the 2024/25 season. This means Borussia Dortmund has already secured a place in the Champions League as the fifth-ranked Bundesliga team prior to their match against Real Madrid.
What is the schedule like now?
There's a major shift from the previous format: the four-group stage has been scrapped. In its place, a league-style format will be used where all 36 teams compete, and the league table determines further advancements. Each club will play eight league games, two more than before. This results in four home and four away games against eight different opponents for each team.
How do opponents get chosen?
Much like the previous configuration, there's a pre-season draw that separates teams into four pots based on their strength. Each club then plays two opponents from each pot, including teams from their own country. This setup ensures exciting contests between powerhouses like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich in the initial rounds. No two teams from the same nation can face each other. The Europa League and Conference League have eight and six group stage matchdays, respectively.
What does UEFA hope to achieve with the new format?
More games mean higher profits. The UEFA forecasts a total of €4.4 billion annually for all European Cup competitions. They also anticipate more fan interest in the early stages due to more high-profile matches. Additionally, they are confident in creating more suspense, as the playoff qualifications and knockout phase positions will not be determined until the final group stage matchday.
What other changes should be noted?
More matches and increased revenues are the key aspects. UEFA estimates an annual total of €4.4 billion across all European competitions. Additionally, they anticipate increased fan entertainment with more remarkable matches in the initial rounds. Notably, there's no transitional phase between the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Therefore, teams that miss out on the knockout phase and round of 16 will see their international season conclude. The competitions' starts have been pushed back as well, with the Champions League and Europa League commencing in September, and the main-round matches starting in January. All 18 fixtures on the last matchday will end simultaneously for fairness reasons, similar to the Bundesliga final. The knockout rounds are scheduled for February in all three competitions, following the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals from March through May.
