UEFA Champions League 2024-25: New Format, Schedule, and Teams to Watch

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The UEFA Champions League is set to return for the 2024-25 season with a revamped format and structure, marking a significant change in Europe’s top club competition. For the first time, 36 teams will participate, expanding from the previous 32, and the traditional group stage has been replaced by a “league phase.”

New Champions League Format
In this new format, the 36 teams will each play eight matches against different opponents, alternating between home and away fixtures. Instead of the familiar group system, all teams are placed in a single league phase. The top eight teams at the end of this phase will automatically advance to the round of 16. Teams finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a playoff round, with the winners progressing to complete the round of 16. This structure adds more games to the tournament, increasing the total number of matches from 125 to 189.

Key Champions League Fixtures and Draw
The Champions League draw for the 2024-25 season, which took place on August 29, has set up several exciting matchups. Reigning champions Real Madrid will face Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. Manchester City, the 2023 Champions League winners, will take on Italian champions Inter Milan, along with PSG and Juventus.

Other notable fixtures include Barcelona vs Bayern Munich on October 23, and Liverpool vs Real Madrid on November 27. Debutants such as Girona, Brest, and Aston Villa will also compete for the first time, bringing fresh challenges to seasoned teams.

Key Dates and Schedule
The league phase of the Champions League will run from September 2024 to January 2025, extending beyond Christmas for the first time in the competition's history. The knockout stage will begin with the playoff round, scheduled for February 11-12 and 18-19, 2025. The round of 16 matches will take place in March, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals in April. The final is set for May 31, 2025, at the Munich Football Arena in Germany.

Title Contenders and Players to Watch
Real Madrid remains a favorite to win the 2024-25 Champions League, led by key players like Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr., and Jude Bellingham. Manchester City, under manager Pep Guardiola, is another strong contender, hoping to secure back-to-back titles. Other major clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Liverpool are also in the mix to compete for the trophy.

Prize Money and Financial Rewards
The prize money for the 2024-25 Champions League season has increased, with the total financial pot rising by 25 percent to approximately €2.5 billion ($2.79 billion). The team that wins the tournament could earn more than €86 million ($95.6 million) in prize money.