The UEFA Champions League is set to undergo a major transformation with a new format starting in the 2024-25 season. This change marks one of the biggest overhauls in the tournament’s history, aiming to increase competition, generate more excitement, and align with the evolving landscape of European football.
Source:- news 18
New Format: The Swiss Model
The current group stage format, consisting of 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, will be replaced by a single league table featuring 36 teams. This new format, known as the “Swiss Model,” eliminates traditional group stages and introduces a league phase where each team plays eight matches against different opponents (four home and four away), determined by seeding.
Source:- BBC News
Qualification and Matches
Teams will face varied levels of opposition, ensuring a balanced and competitive schedule. The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while teams finishing between 9th and 24th place will enter a two-legged playoff to secure the remaining eight spots in the knockout rounds.
Expanded Competition
The shift to 36 teams allows for four additional spots in the league phase. These extra spots will be allocated to teams based on their UEFA coefficient ranking, which considers historical performance in European competitions, giving more opportunities to clubs from smaller leagues and rewarding consistent performance.
Impact and Expectations
The new format aims to increase the overall number of matches in the tournament, providing more content for broadcasters and fans while maintaining the competitive integrity of the competition. This change is expected to generate higher revenues and create new rivalries as teams play against a broader range of opponents.
While the Swiss Model introduces more unpredictability and opportunities, it also increases the competition’s complexity. Fans and teams will need to adapt to the new dynamics, but the revamped format promises a fresh and thrilling experience in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
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