For decades, the UEFA Champions League has been the crown jewel of European club football, delivering unforgettable nights, fierce rivalries, heartbreaking and memorable finals. But starting with the 2024/25 season, the competition entered a new era with a fresh format that sparked some debate amongst die hard football fans when UEFA first announced that another change to the competition would be made.
Most fans were already not impressed that the away goals rule was taken away, and even less so when the format changed.
So what exactly has changed? As the competition enters it’s second season with its fresh look format, here’s a quick reminder of how everything works:
A Shift From Tradition
Gone are the days of eight groups of four and 32 teams. Instead, 36 teams now compete in a single league table under what UEFA calls the Swiss-style league format. Each club plays eight different opponents — four at home and four away — carefully drawn through seeding to balance out the competition. No two teams meet twice in this phase, adding variety to the matchups.
It’s a bold departure from the old system, designed to deliver more high-stakes games from the very first match day and give fans across Europe fresh clashes that they might not have seen in the past.
How The League Phase Works
At the end of these eight fixtures, every team is ranked in one large table. The top eight clubs automatically progress to the Round of 16. Those finishing between 9th and 24th face an extra hurdle: a two-legged playoff to secure their spot in the knockout rounds. Teams placed 25th to 36th bow out completely, with no safety net in the Europa League.
After the first round last year, fans on social media were quick to call this phase “the survival table,” as even big clubs can slip into the playoff zone if they aren’t consistent.
This was the case when heavy weight teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Man City and PSG found themselves having to face off in the knock out rounds to secure their place in the last 16. Normally teams like this would have topped their groups easily, some even securing maximum points, but this was not to be in this new format.
The first round proved that maybe the decision to change the format wasn’t so bad after all.
Knockout Drama Still Intact
From the Round of 16 onwards, the Champions League keeps its classic knockout identity. Two-legged ties, extra time, and penalties remain the recipe for drama, although the old away goals rule is gone. The journey still ends with a one-off final at a neutral venue, where legends are made and hearts are broken.
A classic example of this was when Liverpool took on PSG, with both teams drawing 1-1 on aggregate. This lead to one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts in the competitions’ history, and ultimately PSG ended Liverpool’s dreams of adding another European trophy to their cabinet.
Why It Matters
Qualification remains as tough as ever, with spots determined by domestic league performance. Top leagues like The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga continue to dominate allocations, while smaller nations like FC Karait Almaty from Khazakstan dream of pulling off Cinderella stories.
For the winners, the prize goes beyond silverware: automatic qualification for the next Champions League season and a ticket to the UEFA Super Cup.
How the Fans Reacted
The new system has divided opinion. Some supporters love the idea of more games featuring Europe’s heavyweights, while others feel it’s “too much football” squeezed into an already packed calendar. Still, the promise of blockbuster clashes like Barcelona vs Newcastle or Bayern Munich vs Napoli in the league phase has fans buzzing about the unpredictability.
A New Era For European Nights
UEFA insists the format will keep the competition fair while amplifying the spectacle. What’s certain is that more games mean more stories — underdogs will rise, giants may stumble, and fans can expect even more unforgettable nights under the floodlights.
The Champions League may have changed its format, but its magic remains untouched.
Featured Image: Dexxter United on X
