The Champions League as we all know it’s nearing to the tip. As soon as the ultimate whistle is blown in Wembley on Saturday, June 1 for the 2023-24 Champions League ultimate, the competitors will bear an enormous format revamp.
UEFA permitted plans again in April 2021 that will see not solely the format of Europe’s elite membership competitors altered, however would additionally see the variety of groups participating elevated and see the competitors undertake a ‘tennis-style’ seeding for the knockout phases.
Premier League golf equipment is also set to profit from the expanded arrange following affirmation that as much as 5 groups would have the ability to qualify for the competitors by way of their league place.
For that to occur, English golf equipment competing throughout all UEFA competitions must go deep into their respective European competitions.
So what precisely does it imply for the Champions League to now be a ‘Swiss-style league’ and what can we count on sooner or later? Mail Sport has all the main points of the way forward for the competitors.
![The Champions League will be expanded from 32 teams to 36 for the 2024-25 season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/13/11/82403053-0-image-a-4_1710329359725.jpg)
The Champions League shall be expanded from 32 groups to 36 for the 2024-25 season
![Next years competition will follow a completely new format which will see the group stage adopt a new league style for qualification](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/13/11/82403119-0-image-a-2_1710329270662.jpg)
Subsequent years competitors will comply with a totally new format which can see the group stage undertake a brand new league type for qualification
How will qualification work?
Regardless of some main overhauls to how the Champions League group stage will work, the modifications to the qualification processes are very minor with 4 extra locations on provide.
They may stay open and earned by way of a group’s efficiency in their very own home leagues and cup competitions.
One of many extra locations will go to the membership who end third within the league ranked fifth by UEFA’s coefficient. With one other being awarded to a home champion, growing the golf equipment’ qualifying by way of the ‘Champions Path’ from 4 to 5.
The ultimate two locations shall be awarded to the 2 league’s who end within the high two of the 2023-24 coefficients.
That’s the place a Premier League membership may gain advantage ought to the English golf equipment carry out nicely throughout Europe this season.
Spain is also set to profit from the change as they at the moment sit second within the coefficient rankings. As issues stand at the moment Italy will achieve the additional European place.
![The two leagues with the top coefficients will earn another Champions League place](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/31/10/74909325-12464903-image-a-26_1693475400971.jpg)
The 2 leagues with the highest coefficients will earn one other Champions League place
What’s the new Champions League format?
For those who qualify for the group stage, a completely new format shall be awaiting them.
As an alternative of eight teams consisting of 4 groups, there’ll now be one league containing all 36 groups.
Every group will play 10 completely different groups throughout their video games with 5 being at dwelling and the opposite 5 being away.
From there the highest eight sides will robotically qualify for the spherical of 16 knockout stage.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/13/11/82411781-0-image-m-6_1710330833335.jpg)
Every group will now play 10 video games within the group stage, 5 at dwelling and 5 away
The groups ending ninth to twenty fourth will then compete in a two-legged play-off to safe their path to the final 16.
How will the knockout phases draw work?
With the present format groups are drawn manually from seeded pots for the knockout stage fixtures, however UEFA’s deputy normal secretary Giorgio Marchetti admitted it could not be potential for the draw to stay totally handbook, stating that in the event that they have been to take action, the Champions League draw alone might final ‘three or 4 hours’ and have round 900 balls if it continued as it’s now.
The exact format for the draw – which is just like the tennis-style seeding system – remains to be within the ultimate improvement part however UEFA have stated it could be a ‘hybrid’ occasion involving some handbook drawing of balls and a few automation.
UEFA stated any automated components would proceed to be independently audited to keep away from any accusations of the draw being rigged.
![Next years Champions League draw will introduce a tennis-style seeding system from the last 16 onwards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/13/11/82412461-13191933-image-a-7_1710331052530.jpg)
Subsequent years Champions League draw will introduce a tennis-style seeding system from the final 16 onwards
Groups from the identical nation shall be stored aside till the brand new knockout spherical play-off, aside from in very distinctive circumstances, with the brand new spherical to be contested by the groups ending ninth to twenty fourth within the league part.
UEFA is then introducing the tennis-style seeding system from the final 16 onwards, in order that the golf equipment ending first and second within the league part are stored in separate halves of the draw and can’t meet till the ultimate.
It would imply that the highest 4 seeds – that are based mostly on the place golf equipment end within the new league desk format – can not meet one another earlier than the semi-finals, giving golf equipment the inducement to complete as excessive as potential.
Why have the modifications been made?
In keeping with an announcement on the UEFA web site the modifications are ‘designed to safe the optimistic way forward for European soccer at each degree and meet the evolving wants of all its stakeholders.
‘Unequivocally confirming joint dedication to the precept of open competitors and sporting benefit throughout the continent, the frequent function has additionally been to maintain home leagues.’
![Aleksandar Ceferin has said the new format supports the future of domestic and European football](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/31/10/74912111-12464903-image-a-28_1693475811456.jpg)
Aleksandar Ceferin has stated the brand new format helps the way forward for home and European soccer
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added ‘This new format helps the standing and way forward for the home sport all through Europe as nicely.
‘It retains the precept that home efficiency needs to be the important thing to qualification and reconfirms the rules of solidarity proper by way of the sport and of open competitors.
‘The advanced format will nonetheless maintain alive the dream of any group in Europe to take part within the UEFA Champions League due to outcomes obtained on the pitch and it’ll allow long-term viability, prosperity and progress for everybody in European soccer.’
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