Champions League Explained: Format, Rules, and What’s New This Season

The UEFA Champions League is evolving—this season marks only the second edition under a 36-team league phase format. Gone are the traditional eight groups; instead, all 36 teams compete in a single league table, each playing eight different opponents—four at home and four away.

UEFA Champions League Format & Rules: What You Need to Know

• Single league table with 36 teams
• Eight matches against varied opponents
• Automatic qualification for top eight
• Play-offs for positions 9–24
• New home-leg advantage for higher finishers

What’s New & Why It Matters

In addition to the expanded format, crucial changes ahead have drawn attention from clubs and fans alike. The home-leg advantage rule gives greater incentive to finish in the top eight during the league phase, penalizing underperformance throughout the season . UEFA is also exploring the possibility of eliminating extra time in knockout ties—meaning tied matches would go straight to penalties to reduce player fatigue . Currently, there’s no country protection until the quarter-finals: clubs from the same nation can meet as early as the play-offs—though UEFA considered reintroducing national protection but has not yet implemented it.

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Financially, the new model amplifies both matches and revenue: 144 matches are now played in the league phase—up from 96 under the old group stage—and premium broadcast and value-based distributions continue to favor historically successful clubs, reinforcing hierarchical structures .

Want to learn more about the competition itself—from its format evolution to legendary history? Explore more about The Champions League and its legacy.

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