Champions League's new format explained: Swiss model, knockouts, more games (original) (raw)
The Champions League is back with a bang this week, but the format has changed - how will this work out for the teams in both the groups and knock-out rounds?
The Champions League will look very different to the competition that Real Madrid won last time
The Champions League is back for another year, and this time it brings a brand new format to allow for more matches and opportunities to advance.
Football continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and the elite European competition is no different - with more teams, more games and more chances to make it further in the tournament. UEFA approved these new changes back in May 2022, and from this season the adjustments will be put into effect.
This is the first time since 1992 that the Champions League has had such a significant revamp, as President Aleksander Ceferin noted that qualifications and changes were made "based on sporting merit".
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So, how does the new Champions League format work, and how can we catch all of the action as it is happening live? Mirror Sport has all the details on Europe's most prestigous competition below.
What is the new Champions League format and how does it work?
Previously, the Champions League group stages were set up with 32 teams split into eight groups of four, with the two clubs who topped the group advancing to the round of 16.
However, the new format includes 36 teams participating in a league table-style format - with the top eight qualifying automatically for the last 16.
Those who finish between ninth and 24 will then contest a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them while teams in 25th and lower are eliminated.
This format gives the opportunity for four more teams to compete in the tournament. However, from the last 16 onwards, the Champions League will continue to follow its existing format.
What is the ‘Swiss model'?
The 'Swiss model' is the name for the new 36-team league format for the Champions League. It is based on the Swiss-system used in chess and designed to increase the number of games played between the biggest teams.
The only difference between the football tournament and a chess tournament is that in chess, the next opponent is picked after each round of games. In the Champions League, all the group stage fixtures are decided at the beginning of the season and the knock-out rounds will be decided after all of these games have been played.
This format has been used in other football competitions with a large number of teams, including in the CONCACAF Nations League qualifying.
How many fixtures will each team play?
There are even more teams involved in the Champions League this year - but how does it work? (
Image:
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Instead of groups, each team will play eight different teams - four at home and four away - with the fixtures determined through a seeding phase.
This eliminates each team playing the same three teams twice, allowing for more opportunities for fun match-ups and exciting results. As such, each team will play a minimum of eight games - instead of six - and a maximum of 17.
The number of total matches has also increased to 189, up from 125, following the system change.
How do the knockout rounds work?
Once all of the initial games have been played - which concludes on January 29, 2025 - then the draw for the knock-out rounds will begin.
Teams who have finished in the top eight will automatically qualify for the round of 16, and those who placed between ninth and 16th will be seeded into a play-off draw. Then, those who placed from 17th to 24th will face those who were already seeded in a two-legged play-off to advance to the next stage.
The Champions League is back with a bang tonight (
Image:
Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
The eight clubs who win these play-offs will then make it to the round of 16, where they will face one of the top-eight finishers to make it to the quarter-finals.
From the quarter-finals onwards, then the Champions League will continue to follow the existing format of knock-out rounds - with the final also being played at a netrual venue. This year's final is due to be played at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena in Germany on May 31st.
Where can I watch the Champions League this season?
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TNT Sports gives you access to games across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Serie A and many more. You can also watch the biggest clashes in boxing, UFC, WWE and the get exclusive action from MLB all for one payment every month. You can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
TNT Sports will be broadcasting the Champions League again this season, having been the home for the European competition since they won the rights back in 2018 - when the broadcaster was called BT Sport. However, there will be two new companies that will also show some Champions League action this season.
Amazon Prime Video will show 17 Champions League matches tonight, in their first-ever season of providing live coverage of the elite competition.
As well as this, BBC will be showing highlights of the Champions League on Wednesdays at 10:40pm - with match-by-match highlights available on BBC iPlayer.
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