The UEFA Champions League has confirmed the fixtures for the new "league phase" format for the 2024/25 season. The draw marks a significant change from the traditional group stage format, with a shift towards a league phase that includes 36 teams, an increase from the previous 32.
Spoiler: Paris Saint-Germain are not liking the new format.
Confirmed: New UEFA Champions League "league phase" draw fixtures
Pot 1 fixtures:
✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 1 teams ✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/4bwEU4zCqq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
Pot 2 fixtures:
✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 2 teams ✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/DHAAIG5uxB
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
Pot 3 fixtures:
✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 3 teams ✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/6xQDCTNtdL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
Pot 4 fixtures:
✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 4 teams ✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/G22WtdPeMb
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
League Phase Structure
Instead of the traditional eight groups of four teams, all 36 teams will be placed into a single league table. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents—four at home and four away—based on a seeding system
Fixture Highlights
The draw has resulted in several exciting matchups for the league phase. Reigning champions Real Madrid will have a 2024 Final rematch against Borussia Dortmund, while other top clashes include Bayern Munich vs. Barcelona and PSG facing off against a plethora of Europe's biggest clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Átletico Madrid and Arsenal.
Qualification
The top eight teams from the league phase will automatically advance to the knockout stage. Teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged playoff round to secure their spots in the Round of 16.
Match Dates
The league phase will kick off on September 17, 2024, with matches spread across several weeks until December. The playoffs and knockout stages will follow in early 2025, culminating in the final on June 1, 2025, in Munich.
This new format aims to increase competition and excitement by allowing more teams to participate and ensuring that every match has significance, potentially shaking up the traditional power dynamics of the competition. Fans eagerly await to see how their teams will fare in this new and challenging structure.
