It’s the start of a new era in the Champions League as a new format is introduced for the 2024/25 season. The final will also be held at Bayern’s home at the Allianz Arena. fcbayern.com runs you through the changes and key dates for the restructured competition.
What is the new Champions League format?
The number of teams has been increased by four from 32 to 36. There is no longer a group stage (previously eight groups of four) but one league phase. Each team will play eight games against eight different opponents, with four at home and four away. This will be determined by a draw. All points earned as a result go into one overall league table. At the end of the eight matchdays, the top eight teams progress straight to the round of 16. The remaining eight places in the knockout round will be determined in a two-legged play-off that pits teams who finish from ninth to 16th against those who came 17th to 24th. The teams who finish higher will have the second leg at home. The eight winners will advance to the last 16 to join the original top eight teams, who will be seeded for the draw for the round of 16. That will take place the same day as the draw for the quarter and semi-finals. The competition continues as in previous years from the round of 16.
How will the draw for the league phase work?
The draw for the league phase of the 2024/25 Champions League takes place in Monaco on Thursday, 29 August. The new format also means a new style of draw. The 36 qualifiers will be placed into four pots according to their UEFA coefficient and subsequently drawn in turn with a physical ball. As each team is drawn, a computer will randomly select two opponents from each pot, ensuring that competition criteria and regulations are met, such as country protection and ensuring a maximum of two opponents from another country. The software will also determine which of the games will be played at home and away, with each club getting to play one opponent from each pot at home and one away. The draw begins with Pot 1, where all nine teams are allocated their eight opponents. This is then continued with the remaining pots in order until every team has eight opponents. The fixture list with dates and kick-off times will then be published by 31 August, following the Europa League and Conference League draws.
2024/25 Champions League schedule
- Matchday 1: 17-19 September 2024
- Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024
- Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024
- Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024
- Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024
- Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024
- Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025
- Matchday 8: 29 January 2025
- Knockout play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025
- Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025
- Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025
- Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025
- Final: 31 May 2025 in Munich
Draw dates
- League phase: 29 August 2024
- Knockout play-offs: 31 January 2025
- Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals: 21 February 2025
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