Janice R. Andrews
The competition’s structure will be significantly altered in 2024–25 with the introduction of an extended format that promises new levels of excitement and complexity. The 36 clubs who will compete in the Champions League hope to keep spectators guessing from the group stage to the championship. Everything you need to know about the new structure, including the playoffs, qualifying teams, group stage draw, and important dates, is broken down in this post.
The Race to the Group Stage in the Most Recent Champions League Playoffs
For many clubs, the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League route to the group stage has been difficult. There are just 14 teams left in the running for the seven available berths in the tournament following a difficult summer of qualifications. These playoffs will decide which clubs will compete in the coveted league against Europe’s best, with 29 of the 36 teams already confirmed.
The two-leg playoff matches are slated for the following times:
August 20, 2024, Tuesday:
- Red Star Belgrade vs. Bodo/Glimt – 3:00 PM ET (CH Match 4)
- Lille vs. Slavia Prague (LP Match 1), 3:00 PM ET
- Qarabag FK vs. Dinamo Zagreb – 3:00 PM ET (CH Match 2)
August 21, 2024, Wednesday:
- Galatasaray vs. Young Boys — 3:00 PM ET (CH Match 1)
- Slovan Bratislava vs. Midtjylland – 3:00 PM ET (CH Match 3)
- RB Salzburg vs. Dynamo Kiev – 3:00 PM ET (LP Match 2)
- Sparta Prague vs. Malmo, 3:00 PM ET (CH Match 5)
August 27, 2024, Tuesday:
- Young Boys vs. Galatasaray – 3:00 PM ET
- Malmo vs. Sparta Prague at 3:00 PM ET
- Dynamo Kiev vs. RB Salzburg, 3:00 PM ET
August 28, 2024, Wednesday:
- Dinamo Zagreb vs. Qarabag FK – 12:45 PM ET
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Red Star Belgrade – 3:00 PM ET
- Midtjylland vs. Slovan Bratislava – 3:00 PM ET
- Lille vs. Slavia Prague at 3:00 PM ET
Group Stage of the Champions League: Schedule and Organization
Starting on September 17, 2024, the new Champions League group stage will go until January 29, 2025. Under the revised schedule, 36 teams will play a league-style tournament, with four home games and four away games each club against eight different opponents.
The dates for the group stage matches are as follows:
- September 17–19, 2024 (Matchday 1)
- Two-day Match: October 1-2, 2024
- October 22–23, 2024 (Matchday 3).
- Second Matchday: November 5–6, 2024
- November 26–27, 2024 is the date of Matchday 5.
- December 10–11, 2024 is Matchday 6.
- January 21–22, 2025 (Matchday 7).
- January 29, 2025 (Matchday 8).
New Format: What Is It Like to Use?
Under the new arrangement, all 36 teams will be grouped into a single, sizable league as opposed to the previous group stage format, which had smaller groups of four teams. Based on UEFA’s coefficients, each team will be placed into four pots and will play two games against opponents in each pot. This approach makes sure clubs face a wide range of opponents from all throughout Europe, which increases the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Following the league phase:
- By default, the top eight teams move on to the Round of 16.
- Teams placing **9th through *24th* will play in a knockout round playoff; the winners will move on to the Round of 16.
Teams who place **25th through *36th* will not be allowed to compete in any European events the rest of the season.
There will be two-leg ties in the knockout stage that go to the final, as is customary.
Group Stage Qualifying Teams
Currently, 29 clubs are guaranteed a spot in the group stage; the remaining seven will be determined in the playoffs. The groups of teams are divided into four pots:
First Pot:
- Madrid Real
- City of Manchester
- Munich
- PSG
- Liverpool
- Inter Milan
- Dortmund Borussia
- RB Leipzig
- Barcelona
Second Pot
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Real Madrid
- Atlanta
- Juventus
- Benfica
- Arsenal
- Club Brugge
- Donetsk, Shakhtar
- AC Milan
Section 3:
- Feyenoord
- Lisbon Sporting
- Eindhoven PSV
- CH Match 1 victor
- CH Match 2 victor
- The LP Match 1 winner
Pot 3 or 4:
- CH Match 3 victor
- The CH Match 4 winner
- The LP Match 2 winner
Section 4:
- Aston Villa
- Monaco
- Bologna
- Girona
- Stuttgart
- Sturm Graz
- Brest
- CH Match 5 victor
When Is the Draw for the Group Stage?
On August 29, 2024, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the group stage draw will take place. For the league phase, teams will be selected from their respective pots and grouped.
Dates for the Champions League Knockout Stages
After the league round is over, in February 2025, the knockout stages will start. The addition of an additional knockout round has increased fan interest. The important knockout stage dates are as follows:
Playoffs for the Knockout Round: February 11–12 & 18–19, 2025
Second Round: March 4–5 and 11–12, 2025
Quarterfinals: April 8–9 and April 15–16, 2025
Semifinals: May 6–7, 2025, and April 29–30,
Conclusive: May 31, 2025
Champions League Final for 2024–25
On May 31, 2025, the **Allianz Arena in Munich will host the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League grand final. Following a protracted and exciting campaign under the new format, the match will crown the European champions.
The redesigned Champions League is expected to provide even more thrills, surprises, and drama as the best clubs in Europe compete for the grand prize. Fans should anticipate a spectacular season, regardless of whether reigning champion Real Madrid keeps their title or a new winner steps forward.
