of the executive board UEFA approved the new format Championswhich will be released from the 2024-25 season. In what he said “in the word”Swiss system“The biggest change would be to convert the traditional group stage into a single League stage that includes all participating teams, going from 32 teams to 36 teams, eliminating coefficient and access.

Priority in this new Champions League plan sporting values ​​to enter the competitionHe was the exact opposite of those who defended the idea of ​​the European Super League.

answer Alexander Ceferin to that project still flying Florentine Perez (Madrid), Joan Laporta (Barça) and Andrea Agnelli (Juventus). Also, UEFA reserved “just one week” on the calendar with the idea of ​​hosting a ‘final four’ where the champion would be determined, similar to the one used in Lisbon-2020, then pushed by covid so it was welcomed. Eight instead of the four clubs that the European organization now recommends.

However these ‘last four’ are yet to be officially decided. Also, after listening to all the players, UEFA dropped the two decisions it wanted 10 games per club in its first project (it will now be eight games due to pressure from the Spanish LaLiga and the English Premier) and for the Champions League, the two that will go to the two best-ranked Leagues in the previous season. Eliminates arbitrary ordering.

Eight different opponents

UEFA’s reaction to the Super League, which they still defend. Madrid, Barca Y Juventuswhere he went from 32 to 36 teamseach team will thus be guaranteed at least eight League stage matches, including all participating teams, and will play against eight different opponents (four at home and four away) instead of the previous six matches against three teams played at home and away. .

The top eight teams in this League will “automatically” qualifyUEFA reminded that teams between ninth and twenty-fourth for the last 16 qualifying round will play a two-legged draw to ensure the transition to eighth place.

In this sense, the UEFA executive committee has guaranteed that, yes, all matches will be played during the week, except for the final, if the model of bringing four clubs together in the same city is finally adopted. Therefore, not every country will have weekend matches to respect their Leagues.

“The format chosen will strike the right balance and improve the competitive bottom line and generate strong revenue”

Ceferin – President of UEFA

This change to the Champions League format will also apply to the Europa League (eight games in the League stage) and the Conference League (six games in the League stage). Both competitions will feature 36 teams in these new leagues.

“UEFA has demonstrated our full commitment to respecting the core values ​​of sport and supporting the fundamental principle of open competitions, with a ranking based on sporting merit, in full compliance with the values ​​and the European sport model. Supportive” , provided Alexander CeferinHe is the head of the European body that changed the format, which will step in in two years to compete in the Super League, which Madrid, Barça and Juventus still defend.

“The chosen format will strike the right balance and will improve the competitiveness and generate a solid income,” said the UEFA president, always emphasizing that “the ranking will continue to be based solely on sporting performance and the dream to participate”. continue to be for all clubs”. In this way, Ceferin defends the new Champions League format against the elite and elite model of the Super League.