September 17 brings in the newest format of Europe’s top football competition, the Champions League. The new format looks into creating more excitement for the audience and creating an atmosphere that is fitting for the UEFA Champions League after decades of similar outcomes.
On the back of a Super League threat from Europe’s top teams, UEFA found themselves needing to subbing in a new format, replacing the old.
Here’s all you need to know:
What’s Changed?
The UCL will now feature 36 teams, four more than the previous format, every team plays eight games against eight different opponents, two more than in the past, emulating a league with no group stage contention.
The league phase will see teams fight for the top eight spots that directly qualifies them into the knockout stages. Teams from ninth to 2
4th face-off for a playoff berth for the remaining 16 spots, while the last 12 teams are eliminated.
Better Prizes
The financial prizes have become even better than before. The team that is crowned as the Champions of Europe will pocket 86 million euros (95.3 million dollars) without including any bonuses. Bonuses will see teams earn 700,000 euros for every point in the league phase and along with television revenue.
Exciting League Phase Action
Current champions, Real Madrid, aim to defend their title against VFB Stuttgart, Bundesliga runners-up. Liverpool take on AC Milan at the San Siro, an exciting clash between two UEFA heavyweights with a combined 13 titles together.
On September 18, a 2023 final repeat between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be witnessed.
An irregular fixture between Barcelona will meet Monaco on a Thursday (19th September), an atypical game schedule.
It all starts here 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/Bkw49qvXFK
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2024
“Great Change” Says UEFA President
“In the end I think we came to a solution that will benefit all,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin told Britain’s Sky News recently when asked about the new format. He added, “It will make a more unpredictable and more interesting competition. It is a great change.”
Side Effects?
With the expansion of the UEFA Champions League this season, we will also see a new expanded format of the Club World Cup in 2025 at the end of the season in the United States.
This poses a question of how many games the players are going to endure during the season. Manchester City star Bernardo Silva stated, “The schedule is absolutely crazy, we have just received news that we will only have one day off for the English League Cup match.”
“We will probably play all three days for several months. What’s happening is absolutely ridiculous,” he added.
Silva didn’t hold back on his concerns – “I spend very little time with my family and friends. The number of matches we play is absolutely ridiculous.”
Real Madrid’s Head Coach Carlo Ancelotti also shared the same sentiment – “Sometimes something new can be good for the competition and for everyone, but what we struggle to understand is the increase in the number of matches,” creating a sense of concern amongst the football world.
