The new Champions League format for the upcoming season promises more excitement and opportunities for teams to compete for increased prize money. UEFA recently announced the draw for the match schedule in Monaco, introducing a single-standings league phase to replace the traditional group stage.
This revamped format includes several enhancements desired by Europe's top clubs, such as expanding the lineup to 36 teams, ensuring each team plays at least eight games, and scheduling Champions League matches in January for the first time. Additionally, there is a significant boost in prize money, with a minimum of 2.5 billion euros ($2.8 billion) allocated for the competition.
The decision to revamp the Champions League format comes amidst concerns about player fatigue due to the increasing number of international competitions. The new league phase will feature 144 total games, compared to 96 in the previous group stage, aiming to improve competitive balance and increase the number of meaningful matches throughout the tournament.
The format will culminate in an intense final round where all 36 teams will compete on the same evening to determine the standings. Eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while 16 will enter a new knockout playoff round in February, and the remaining 12 will be eliminated.
The changes were primarily driven by a desire for more revenue, as well as a push for more engaging matches against stronger opponents. The road to finalizing the format was challenging, with initial proposals facing backlash before a consensus was reached in May 2022.
Key features of the new format include a single-standings league with 36 teams playing eight games each, leading to direct qualification for the top eight teams. Additional places were allocated to countries with strong club competition records, ensuring a more diverse lineup.
The draw for the 36 teams will be based on UEFA club coefficients, with match schedules to be confirmed soon. The prize money fund for the Champions League has also seen a significant increase, with bonuses awarded for each stage of advancement and additional funds based on historical performance and broadcast deals.
