A new era of the Champions League kicks off this week. In this essay, we delve into the rich history of the tournament and consider how this new chapter might unfold.
The History of Ol' Big Ears
The Champions League holds a unique place in the hearts of football fans. Every season, it brings together the best teams from Europe’s top leagues to battle it out for the title of Champions of Europe for the most prestigious trophy in Europe, affectionately referred to as Ol' Big Ears . My earliest memory of the competition is that unforgettable final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United — a game that still stands as one of the most dramatic turnarounds in football history.
For the past 25 years, I’ve been captivated by this tournament, and I can confidently say it showcases the highest level of football. The performances, the goals, and the sheer quality of play in the Champions League are unparalleled, even by the World Cup. This is largely because it features the top players from the world’s elite club teams.
There’s something truly magical about Champions League nights. If your team is fortunate enough to compete, you’ll know there’s nothing quite like it. I’ve been lucky enough to see my team lift the trophy twice, and for Real Madrid fans, that feeling is all too familiar. But it’s not just about winning the silverware — many unforgettable nights are etched into the memories of fans everywhere.
One of my personal favourites is Deportivo La Coruña’s stunning comeback against AC Milan, overturning a 4-1 deficit from the first leg. And who could forget the miracle of Istanbul? Nights like these are what make the Champions League special.
Change is The Only Constant
For the most part, the Champions League has stayed true to its roots over the past three decades, with only minor changes like the scrapping of the away goals rule and the introduction of VAR. You could argue there was little need to tweak a winning formula.
That was until Florentino Pérez launched his audacious bid to upend the competition with the Super League. His vision was to create a closed league featuring Europe’s top clubs based on their standing and history — an idea that flew in the face of the Champions League’s more democratic approach, which allows any team finishing in the top four of their league to qualify.
Pérez’s Super League was a blatant money grab, and with the backing of Europe’s elite clubs, he came perilously close to pulling it off. If not for massive fan backlash and legal challenges from UEFA, the Champions League as we know it might have been consigned to history. In response, UEFA has been forced to innovate, leading us to the new Champions League format debuting this week.
New Era of the Champions League
The old Champions League format was straightforward. Teams played in groups of four, facing each other home and away. The top two teams advanced to the knockout stage, which proceeded from the Last 16 through to the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final—all rounds except the final played over two legs. Simple, right?
League Phase
The new format, however, is a different beast. The tournament is moving from a group-based structure to a league-based one, which means more teams playing more games, and — unsurprisingly — more revenue.
Let’s break down the key changes.
Starting with the 2024/25 season, the number of participating teams will increase from 32 to 36. The teams will compete in a single league table. Each team will play eight matches in the league phase, each match against a different opponent, moving away from the traditional home-and-away format.
The teams you play against will be determined by a new seeding pot system, introducing more variety in matchups. Crucially, this should lead to top teams clashing more frequently and earlier in the competition—something that was one of the Super League’s main selling points.
Knockout Phase
The top 8 teams at the end of the league phase will qualify directly for the Last 16 knockout stage, while teams finishing 9th to 24th will enter a two-legged knockout round to secure a spot in the Last 16. Standard league scoring will apply: three points for a win, one for a draw. The eight teams advancing from this knockout playoff will then face the top eight in the Last 16.
There’s no denying it—the new structure is more complex and will take some getting used to. Another significant change is that Champions League teams knocked out will no longer drop into the Europa League. Oh, and there's also a new Champions League anthem.
Thankfully, matches will still be played midweek, and the final remains on a Saturday.
Confirmed participants in the league phase:
• England: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Man City
• Spain: Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Real Madrid
• Germany: Bayern, Dortmund, Leipzig, Leverkusen, Stuttgart
• Italy: Atalanta, Bologna, Inter, Juventus, Milan
• France: Brest, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain
• Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven
• Portugal: Benfica, Sporting CP
• Belgium: Club Brugge
• Scotland: Celtic
• Switzerland: Young Boys
• Austria: RB Salzburg, Sturm Graz
• Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
• Czech Republic: Sparta Prague
If You Don't Innovate, You Die
The draw for the new Champions League format takes place this Thursday, and while we’ve provided an overview, the complexity of the format means it requires specialised software to conduct the draw. So, all we can say is good luck, grab some popcorn, and tune in.
It remains to be seen whether these new changes will be positive for the game, but it's clear that it was time for UEFA to innovate or die.
For me, as someone who’s followed the competition for nearly three decades, this is a monumental moment—one that I approach with cautious optimism and excitement for the season ahead.
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