what days we play, format and how not to miss anything

The “revolution” is already here. Or non-revolution, depending on how you look at it. In any case, the simultaneity of all points of view means that changes, if any, are happening. The Champions is facing the biggest changes since the 1990s, when the European Cup changes its name and is no longer a competition reserved for champions of Suspenders.

The borders were then opened to the first of each national championship and a format of group stage and subsequent eliminations was established, which has been maintained until this edition. This goes from 32 to 36 participants who compete in the same league, but not all against all. A total of eight games, two more than last year in the first phase.

Four of them at home and four away, but against different rivals. The draw, made by computer, proved to be an indecipherable hieroglyph until it was almost complete. Christian And Buffon They pressed two buttons and in the blink of an eye, each team had defined its rivals. A leap of faith. More games require more days. For the first time, the Champions League will be played on Thursday.

What is the format of the new Champions League?

The Champions League enters this Tuesday in a convoluted competition system that tightens an already saturated calendar. The 36 teams that make up the first phase will face the eight teams assigned to them by the draw. Four at home and four away, that is to say without home-and-away matches as in the last group stage.

“THE UEFA has shown that we are committed to respecting the fundamental values ​​of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with a ranking based on sporting merit. Fully in line with the European sports model based on solidarity,” he stressed. CeferinUEFA president, to advocate for the change.

What are the Champions League play-offs?

When all rounds of the championship are completed, around the end of January 2025, the top eight automatically advance to the round of 16. While the teams ranked 9th to 24th will have to overcome a two-legged play-off to reach the top eight.

On the other hand, those located in 25th place and below, all clubs are eliminated, without the possibility of being caught by the Europa League. After the “play-offs”, the tournament follows the traditional knockout system until the final. Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals in a double match against the same rival and a final in a single match. This edition in Allianz Arena Munich.

Are there any country limitations?

The draw took place at NyonThe house in which UEFA distributes the chance, has been conditioned according to the same criteria as last season. No team can face another club from the same country during the championship, except in cases of force majeure.

In addition, no team can play more than two clubs from the same country in this round. In other words, the Atletico Madridto give an example, if you had the Manchester City and the ArsenalI couldn’t touch him Villa Aston. This does not happen in the round of 16, where all restrictions are removed.

What is the calendar?

“The new format, with all teams qualifying together in one league, will mean there will be more to play for until the final night of the league phase,” UEFA said. However, expanding the field of participants requires extending the period in which it can be played.

The first phase will not end until the end of January next year, almost two months later than the defunct group stage, which ended in early December. In addition, Champions League matches will take place on the Thursdays of the first day. A bet by UEFA to reaffirm the weight of the competition and for the fan to focus on a tournament.

For this reason, there will be a week only of Champions League between September 17 and 19, another only of Europa League (September 25 and 26) and another only focused on the Conference League (December 19). “A new format that promises more equality, intensity, emotion and uncertainty. We are convinced that these changes are necessary and will benefit everyone, especially the fans,” Ceferin explains.

Why are all these changes happening?

The aim was to combat the less attractive parties and increase the competitiveness of the competition. The threat of the Super League, which has not yet seen the light of day, pushed UEFA to implement this new format. “The new league format will involve more European teams in each competition and will allow fans not only to see more top-level European matches, but also to be able to organise these matches earlier in the competition,” dictates the UEFA president.

Furthermore, he explains that “this will introduce a greater competitive balance between all teams, with the possibility that each of them will face rivals of a similar competitive level throughout the championship phase”. This change also implies higher salaries, which is after all what interests clubs to embark on this whirlwind of the calendar.

How much money do clubs make with the new format?

UEFA will distribute a total of €2.467 million among the participating clubs. The European body will distribute the teams’ winnings according to three criteria: an initial commission of €670 million, a performance commission per competition that reaches €914 million and a final value commission totalling €853 million.

Clubs will notice the increase in league revenue. They will receive €18.62 million just for their participation. Amount slightly higher than the €15.5 distributed in the current group stage. The distribution by results decreases slightly, even if the number of matches in the first phase increases, going from six to eight. Each win will be paid €2.1 million and €700,000 for draws.

The new format includes a championship ranking bonus, where the lowest ranked team will receive 275,000 euros and the champion of this phase, 9.9 million. From 1 to 16 years old, they will receive an additional 2 million, while teams from 9 to 16 years old will receive one million euros. Income will increase considerably compared to the now defunct format when the playoffs are reached.

The teams that qualify for the round of 16 will receive €11 million. €12.5 if they reach the quarter-finals and €15 if they reach the semi-finals. The finalist clubs, €18.5 each, while the winner will pocket a peak of €6.5 million. The total amount received by each team will be slightly increased after the distribution of what is known as the “market pool”.