The New Champions League Format Isn't Much Better Than The European Super League

The 'new Champions League' will begin from 2024/25 and it will look completely different to the previous seasons with the competition revamp set to include 36 teams.

But the biggest change is the new format which will now be a league before the competition enters its existing knockout stage.

So, one big league instead of the traditional eight groups - with the top eight teams reaching the next round.

Other spots will be made available through a new round of play-offs. Clubs placed from ninth to 16th will face a team placed from 17th to 24th in a two-legged tie.

Teams who finish 25th or lower will be eliminated, with NO entry to the Europa League.

The new Champions League means every club will be guaranteed 10 games, increasing revenue for each team involved.

As for the additional slots, three different criteria will determine the four extra teams.

One slot will be awarded to a club from the country placed fifth in UEFA's coefficient rankings.

Another slot will be awarded to the domestic league champion with the highest club coefficient among the other domestic champions who have not automatically qualified.

The final two slots will be awarded to the two clubs with the highest club coefficients who have not qualified automatically.

A UEFA announcement reads: "The pivotal change in the reforms announced by the UEFA Executive Committee after its meeting on 19 April 2021 is the departure from the current format's opening 32-team group stage.

"The present Champions League season begins with participants divided into eight groups of four. From the 2024/25 season, there will be a single league made up of all 36 competing clubs. This will give four more sides the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in Europe.

"Under the new format, teams will play four matches more than is currently the case.

"They will no longer play three opponents twice - home and away - but will instead face fixtures against 10 different teams, half of them at home and half of them away.

"This gives the opportunity for clubs to test themselves against a wider range of opponents - and also raises the prospect of fans seeing the top teams go head-to-head more often earlier in the competition.

"The new format should mean that there is more to play for right up until the final night of league action."