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The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is set for a major makeover ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, with big changes to both the format and total number of teams on the way.
Naturally, soccer fans around the world are trying to get up to speed on the imminent changes. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the new Champions League format.
How Many Teams Will Participate in the Champions League in 2024-25?
The new UCL format will see the total number of teams rise from 32 to 36, meaning the tournament will expand by four teams. This may not sound like a big difference, but it will have a big impact on how the competition works.
The current format separates the 32 teams into eight groups of four, with the top two sides in each group progressing to the knockout phase. However, the 36-team format will work differently.
Keep reading to find out about the new Champions League format. Below, we explain the ins and outs of the new UCL format.
What is the New Champions League Format?
The biggest change to occur as a result of the format revamp will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single-league phase, with all 36 teams participating in the same division.
Every team will play eight games – four at home and four away – with the opening round taking place over a 10-week period. That means the total number of matches will rise from 125 to 189, providing more entertainment for fans.
On top of that, UEFA has announced that two of the four new berths will go to the nations whose teams perform best in Europe during the previous campaign.
It is also worth noting that clubs from the same country will be allowed to face each other in the Round of 16. Under the current format, teams from the same nation cannot meet until the quarterfinals.
Most Successful Clubs in Champions League History
The new Champions League format will give more clubs the chance to compete for the prestigious trophy. However, the elite teams will remain at the forefront of the competition.
Boasting a whopping 14 titles, Real Madrid is the most successful club in UCL history. The Spanish giant even managed to win four titles in five years between 2014 and 2018 before triumphing again in 2022.
Italy’s AC Milan sits second on the all-time leaderboard with seven titles, while Germany’s Bayern Munich and England’s Liverpool have both secured the silverware on six occasions over the years.
Barcelona (5), Ajax (4), Inter Milan (3), Manchester United (3), Juventus (2), Benfica (2), Chelsea (2), Nottingham Forest (2) and Porto (2) are the only other teams to have won multiple Champions League titles.
