The UEFA Champions League is set for a major change to its current format from the 2024/25 season, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool all braced for a new-look campaign.
The pinnacle of European football has unveiled its plans to adopt a new 36-team ‘Swiss Model’ from the start of next season.
An already bumper schedule of 125 games is set to increase to 189, with teams now playing eight matches minimum in a new giant table format.
The competition will now initially comprise of one giant league of 36 teams, replacing the current format that contains 32 teams split into eight groups of four.
Clubs will be divided into four pots based on ‘sporting merit’ as two teams from every ranking make up the eight fixtures.
It therefore means that we could be set for some mouth-watering ties in the early stages of the competition, with two teams from Pot 1 guaranteed to play against one another in the early stages
How does the Champions League group stage change impact Premier League clubs?
For fans of Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Man United and Aston Villa – all eyes will be on the new layout and how it might affect their chances of both qualification and progression to the latter stages.
The good news for clubs looking to qualify for the Champions League is that there is now an extra spot up for grabs.
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The two countries with the best UEFA coefficient will be the beneficiary of an extra spot in the UCL, with England meeting this criteria in six of the past seven seasons.
An exciting new era for European club football awaits 🤩Here’s how the #UCL will look from 2024/25 👇 pic.twitter.com/mEffFOpX2O
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2024
With this new rule, the likes of Villa, Tottenham and Man United might not need to panic as much as usual if Arsenal, City and Liverpool continue to run away with things.
However, it won’t be clear which league has secured their place in the top two until the end of the season. Clubs will therefore want to guarantee their fate with a top four finish regardless.
Can Premier League teams play each other?
Technically, yes. Leagues that have five or more teams competing in the UCL can play one game against their domestic counterparts if there is no other way to avoid an impasse for the draw.
What happens after the group stages?
The top eight teams advance straight though to the Round of 16. Teams ranked from 9th to 24th will face each other in a two-legged tie to move through to the Round of 16 stage.
Teams who finish 25th to 36th will be eliminated and, unlike in previous years, won’t drop into the Europa League. From the Round of 16 onwards, the Champions League format will continue as normal.
Which Premier League teams are left in this season’s Champions League?
Arsenal and Manchester City are the two remaining Premier League clubs left in the competition.