The Champions League league phase draw took place on Thursday, Aug. 28, as 36 teams from across Europe learned the eight opponents they will face between September and January.
If you missed last year’s competition and are wondering where the traditional group stage went, UEFA did away with groups of four in 2024–25 promising a more exciting format with big names facing off more frequently throughout the tournament. Teams play eight games while competing in a table. Points are awarded the same, three for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss, and the top 24 teams in the table advance to the next round. The top eight of those 24 get a bye directly to the round of 16 while the 16 other sides compete in a playoff round to advance.
