The premier tournament across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean is restructuring for 2024, and GOAL lays out all the details for fans and followers. The competition will be known as the Concacaf Champions Cup, replacing the former Champions League as the region’s flagship continental club tournament. The Confederation outlined substantial changes aimed at boosting appeal, with Mexico’s long-running presence leading the way, while the United States has grown into a strong challenger in recent seasons. Costa Rica’s Saprissa remains a historic powerhouse, contributing to a deep regional rivalry that continues to sharpen over time.
Concacaf has confirmed that the revamped tournament will feature twenty seven clubs and a total of fifty one matches. Prize money and incentives for the champions will exceed five million dollars. The shift signals a major leap in the profile of club football in the region, positioning the Concacaf Champions Cup as the centerpiece of the region’s international club sport and aligning with a broader strategy to elevate leagues and teams alike.
A statement from the Concacaf leadership highlighted the move as a milestone for continental club football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The organization described the new branding and expanded format as a platform to celebrate the region’s rich football heritage while pushing toward a dynamic future for international club competition. The manager also noted that the new club ecosystem will deliver more high-stakes rivalry matches that fans crave and players aspire to contest, with the aim of earning representation in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup starting in 2025.
GOAL provides a comprehensive look at all the changes slated for 2024 and what they mean for clubs, leagues, and supporters alike. The forthcoming format introduces a staged path to the later knockout rounds, designed to maximize competitiveness and marketability across the region.
THIS WILL BE THE NEW FORMAT OF THE 2024 CONCACAF CHAMPIONS
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There is a round one featuring twenty two clubs, with the winners advancing to the round of sixteen.
The teams advancing to the round of sixteen include the champions of Liga MX, MLS, and the Leagues Cup, as well as the Caribbean Cup and the Central American Cup winners. The remaining Liga MX champion, the season’s runner-up, and the two teams with the highest point totals will also move forward to the Round One phase. In total, the 2024 edition could see six to seven clubs from Mexican football alone in the tournament.
CLASSIFIED TEAMS
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America (MEX)
Monterrey (MEX)
Toluca (MEX)
Pachuca (MEX)
Source: Goal