New UCL league phase format explained | OneFootball

The 2024-25 edition of the Champions League is fast approaching, with teams, including five Italian representatives, set to be drawn live on Thursday afternoon. Here is everything you need to know about the competition’s new format.

How does the new UCL format work?

The newly-formatted Champions League will feature 36 teams instead of the previous 32. Teams will first compete in a ‘league phase’ rather than the more recognisable group stage.

All 36 teams have been divided up into four pots. They will each face eight opponents, and must play against two teams from each pot. No two teams from the same nation can face each other in the league phase, as it was with the previous group stage format.

It is also not possible to face more than two teams from the same nation.

Teams will still get three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss, but their points tallies will now be measured against every other team in the competition, rather than just the ones in their group.

At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the round of 16.  The 16 teams ranked from ninth down to 24th will compete in an additional knock-out and the eight victorious sides will also progress to the knock-out rounds.

From there, the knock-out rounds will be contested as usual.

Click here to find out more about Thursday’s Champions League draw