2024/25 UEFA Champions League: New Format, Match Dates, Draws, Final Details

The UEFA Champions League returns for the 2024/25 season, bringing with it a significant change in the tournament’s structure.

Unlike previous editions, this season will follow a completely new format, making it the 70th campaign of the prestigious competition.

New Format Overview

The most notable change is the replacement of the traditional group stage with a single 36-team league stage.

Each team will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against different opponents. The top eight teams in the league will advance directly to the Round of 16.

Teams finishing 9th to 24th will enter a knockout round play-off, with the winners moving on to join the Round of 16. The tournament will then proceed in a knockout format until the final.

Match Dates

UEFA has released the match schedule for the upcoming season. The group stage matches (now phase matches) will be as follows:

– Phase Matches:
– Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024
– Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024
– Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024
– Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024
– Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024
– Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024
– Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025
– Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

– Knockout Stages:
– Knockout Round Play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025
– Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025
– Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025
– Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025
– Final: 31 May 2025

Champions League Draws

The draws for the Phase Matches will take place on August 29, 2024. The draw for the knockout round play-offs will be held on January 31, 2025, while the draws for the Round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals are scheduled for February 21, 2025.

Final

The grand finale of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will be held at the Allianz Arena, the home stadium of Bayern Munich. The Allianz Arena has previously hosted a Champions League final in 2012.

Please note that these dates and details are subject to change if necessary.

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