The UEFA Champions League is back with an expanded format for the 2024/2025 season. Now, 36 teams will compete in a four-month group stage in a new “league phase,” replacing the previous eight groups of four teams. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents, with the top eight advancing directly to the round of 16. Teams placed 9th to 24th will compete in a playoff round to determine the final eight spots.
This season promises 189 matches, up from 125 in the previous format. Fans can expect more frequent clashes between top clubs, as UEFA aims to create more high-profile matchups early in the competition.
The draw for the league stage on August 29 revealed several exciting fixtures, including Real Madrid vs Liverpool and Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund.
Matchday 1 kicks off on Tuesday, September 17, with fixtures such as Juventus vs PSV and Milan vs Liverpool.
Key upcoming fixtures to look out for include:
- Arsenal vs PSG (October 1)
- Barcelona vs Bayern Munich (October 23)
- Real Madrid vs Milan (November 5)
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid (November 27)
The knockout stage begins in February 2025, with the final set for May 31, 2025, at Bayern Munich’s Football Arena.
Favorites for the title include Real Madrid, boosted by the signing of Kylian Mbappe, and Manchester City, with Erling Haaland leading the charge.
The Champions League prize pot has increased, with winners potentially earning over €86 million ($95.6m) in prize money.
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