ASN Staff writer
The Champions League is set to undergo a major revamp, and it is going to have a significant impact on the clubs who qualify.
The current format, which we are all used to, sees teams split into groups of four, with the top two moving on to the knockout stages and the third-placed team heading to the Europa League play-offs. But from next season, things are going to look quite different.
UEFA is introducing a Swiss League format for the competition. So, what does this mean for the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham? Let us take a closer look.
How will the format change?
Starting from the 2024/25 season, the Champions League will feature 36 teams instead of the current 32. Instead of group stages, there will be a 'Champions League phase' where all 36 clubs compete in a single league.
Each team will play eight matches in this phase, against eight different opponents. They will not face the same three teams twice as they do now. Four of these matches will be at home and four will be away.
The teams will first be sorted into four seeding pots to decide the eight opponents. Each team will then play two opponents from each pot, with one match at home and one away.
How will the extra four teams qualify?
Two teams can qualify if they finish fifth in their division and their country is in the top two of the UEFA co-efficient rankings. These rankings are based on how well each nation's clubs do in the three European competitions.
Now, England and Spain are set to benefit from this change. One team can qualify if they finish third in the league ranked fifth in the coefficient rankings - this is currently France.
The last spot will go to a domestic champion by increasing the number of clubs qualifying via the Champions path of the competition's qualifying process from four to five.
How will teams qualify for the knockouts?
After each team has played their eight matches, the top eight teams in the league phase will automatically qualify for the round of 16. Those finishing from 9th to 24th will move to a two-legged play-off phase with the winners joining the other eight clubs in the last 16.
If you rank 25th or below you are out and will not have a chance to fall into the Europa League. The eight clubs who win through the play-offs will face one of the eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16.
The knockout phase will continue as it is currently.
Are the Europa League and Europa Conference League changing too?
Yes, the Europa League will adopt the same format as the new Champions League. The Europa Conference League will be renamed the UEFA Conference League and teams will play against six different opponents in the league phase instead of eight.
Both competitions will have 36 teams each.
When will the matches take place?
The Champions League and Europa League will hold their league phase from September to January, while the Conference League will run from September to December. Each of the three UEFA club competitions will have one exclusive match week, with no other competitions scheduled for that week.
On regular weeks, the Champions League will be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the Europa League and Conference League on Thursdays. But during the exclusive match weeks, the Champions League will be played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Europa League on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Conference League only on Thursdays.
For the final matchday in each competition, all games will start at the same time
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