Uefa planning changes champions league

UEFA is indeed planning changes to the Champions League format, which will come into effect from the 2024-25 season. Here are the key changes:

  1. Expansion from 32 to 36 teams: The Champions League will feature 36 teams, up from the current 32. This will include 18 teams that qualify automatically, 6 teams that qualify through a playoff round, and 12 teams that qualify through a new "Champions League Path" in the Europa League.
  2. New group stage format: The group stage will be played in a round-robin format, with each team playing 10 matches (5 home and 5 away). The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the knockout phase.
  3. Knockout phase changes: The knockout phase will feature a new "Champions League Path" and a "Europa League Path". The winners of the Champions League Path will qualify for the quarterfinals, while the winners of the Europa League Path will qualify for the round of 16.
  4. New "Champions League Path": This path will feature the top 4 teams from the Europa League group stage, who will play against each other in a mini-tournament to determine the 2 teams that will qualify for the Champions League knockout phase.
  5. Increased revenue: The changes are expected to increase revenue for UEFA, with the expanded format and new broadcast deals generating more money for the organization.
  6. More matches, more excitement: The expanded format and new group stage format are expected to create more excitement and unpredictability, with more teams competing for a spot in the knockout phase.

These changes aim to increase the competitiveness and excitement of the Champions League, while also providing more opportunities for teams to qualify for the competition.