UEFA: several changes to the new Champions League format from 2024-25

The UEFA executive committee has approved the new Champions League format from 2024-2025, which will see the creation of a 36-team league (versus 32 teams in eight groups currently), with a number of changes, on 10/05/2022, compared to the format announced on 19/04/2021.

"The key amendments relate to the reduction from 10 matches to 8 in the league phase of the Champions League and the change of criteria for the allocation of two of the four additional places in the Champions League, removing access based on club coefficient (see below). This confirms UEFA's strong commitment to the principle of open competitions and sporting merit, while recognising the need to protect domestic leagues," explained UEFA, despite the fact that the reduction in the number of matches (from ten to eight) had notably been called for by European Leagues on 29/04/2022 (see related article).

"The eight matches of the UEFA Champions League will be played over the ten European weeks foreseen by the decision made in April 2021. The UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League…