Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: UEFA, Champions League, Football
Marcus Chan
UEFA have made a huge announcement regarding the Champions League draw.
As the 24/25 campaign edges ever closer, the Champions League will see its format refreshed.
A single league of 36 teams will replace the old format of having eight groups of four, with each side playing eight matches during the new group stage. Four at home and four away.
Following the group stage, all teams will then be formatted into a table with the top eight sides automatically qualifying for the round of 16 while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will have to enter a play-off phrase for the eight remaining places.
Once that process is done, the Champions League will proceed as normal with a two-legged round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final before the eventual final.
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Ahead of the new campaign, UEFA have revealed that the old draw format will no longer be in use.
Instead of drawing each team's opponents by hand, a software is set to be used.
On their website, UEFA explained: “The new format requires a new draw concept. In fact, if the old draw concept for the group stage were to be applied to the new league phase format, nearly 1000 balls would be required, with at least 36 bowls on stage, resulting in an unbearably lengthy draw.
“All 36 teams will be manually drawn using physical balls. For every team manually drawn, a designated automated software will randomly draw eight opponents across the four pots, who will be revealed on screen in the draw hall and on television. The software will also decide which matches will be at home and which ones away.”
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It continued: “The draw will start with Pot 1, assigning eight opponents to all nine teams, one after the other, and will continue with the other pots in descending order till all teams have been assigned their eight opponents.
“The software will guarantee total randomness within the framework of the draw conditions stipulated by the regulations (e.g. country protection and no more than two opponents from the same country), while guaranteeing that the draw can be completed for all teams without resulting at any point in a deadlock situation.”