Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage Draw: Key Teams and Format Changes

Understanding the New Champions League Format for 2024/25 Season

The Champions League draw is set to revolutionize the football landscape in the upcoming 2024/25 season. With its new format, the Champions League will not only expand its team participation but drastically increase the number of matches played. This article explores the essential changes, key details about the draw, and what fans can expect moving forward.

The New Format Explained

In this revamped format, the number of participating teams will increase from 32 to 36. The traditional group stage format has been replaced with a league phase where all clubs will compete, ensuring that each team will play a minimum of eight league matches against eight different opponents. Specifically, teams will have four home games and four away games. This shift from the previous format of six matches against three clubs offers a more dynamic competition, potentially providing fans with more thrilling matchups.

Key Changes in the Format

• League Phase: All participating teams will play in a single league phase instead of being divided into groups.
• Match Schedule: The league phase will take place until late January, a change from the previous December timeline.
• Exclusivity: Dedicated weeks will be allocated for Champions League matches, minimizing overlaps with other European competitions.

What Happens During the Draw?

The league phase draw will occur today at 5 PM (UK time) and features teams divided into four pots based on their UEFA rankings. The pots are as follows:

Teams and Their Pots

• Pot 1: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig,Barcelona
• Pot 2: Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Juventus, Benfica, Arsenal, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk, AC Milan
• Pot 3: Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Dinamo Zagreb, Red Bull Salzburg, Lille, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, Celtic
• Pot 4: Slovan Bratislava, Monaco, Sparta Prague, Aston Villa, Bologna, Girona, Stuttgart, Sturm Graz, Brest

How are Matches Determined?

The draw will begin with the strongest teams in Pot 1 and proceed through to Pot 4. Each club will face two separate opponents—one at home and one away—resulting in eight matches across the league phase. It’s essential to note that teams from the same country cannot draw against each other in this league phase, though cross-national matchups are possible.

Mechanism for the Draw and Safety

Utilizing advanced automated software ensures a smooth and efficient draw process. This software is designed to maintain security against potential cyber threats and includes backup systems, further ensuring the integrity of the procedure.

Key Dates for the Champions League 2024/25

Here are the critical match dates and phases for the upcoming season:

• Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024
• Matchday 2: October 1-2, 2024
• Matchday 3: October 22-23, 2024
• Final Date: May 31, 2025 at Allianz Arena, Munich

Impact on Other Tournaments

Similar changes in format will also be implemented for both the Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, aiming for an engaging season across all European club competitions. The transition to a league phase pattern promises to enhance competitiveness and excitement for fans worldwide.

As the 2024/25 Champions League season approaches, anticipation among fans and teams alike continues to grow. The new format's structure, alongside the details of the draw, ensures this season will offer a unique and thrilling experience.