The Champions League will start from 2024-2025 with an 8-day mini-championship with 36 teams, compared to 32 clubs now playing in the group stage for 6 days, UEFA decided on Tuesday. This confirms a controversial reform that should offer more battles to broadcasters.
Following its executive committee meeting in Vienna, the European body adopted the outlines of this overhaul, with two additional venues allocated to the two best countries in Europe last season, a kind of catch-up net for leader, and the qualification of the third club for the fifth country in the UEFA coefficient, currently France.
This reform, the most radical in 20 years, was proven a year after the Super League storm, this short-term project of private competition launched by several rebel clubs, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, which will face off in May 28. in the C1 final.
We are convinced that the formula chosen will be harmonious, which will improve the balance of competitions and ensure stable profits that can be redistributed. […]while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitionsUEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.
By extending the first stage, UEFA is trying to satisfy both broadcasters, with a total of 225 matches instead of the current 125, the clubs, which have ensured higher ticket revenue – even at the event of early elimination -, and viewers are looking for prestigious posters.
Two subjects asked, in European soccer with a saturated calendar and an uncertain economic balance.
First, the number of mini-league days, first set at 10, was finally reduced to 8. Then there was the allocation of two to four additional tickets according to the UEFA coefficient of each club that did not qualify, a proposal that favors the richest championships.
The continental body accepted the concession on two points, by allocating two more tickets by sorting the championships concerned, and not directly to the best clubs.
The first eight teams at the end of the first period will qualify for round 16. Teams that finish in 9th to 24th place will go through the play-offs in a home-and-away format.
UEFA has also decided that apart from the final, all matches will continue to be played in the middle of the week, a confirmation awaited by domestic leagues that usually play every weekend.
The Europa League and the Europa League Conference were also affected by this reform, with a format similar to the new Champions League.
Source: Radio-Canada