Champions League draw: new format reveals 2024-25 fixtures – live reaction

What's the news?

UEFA has released the new format and draw for the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, which will see the competition expand to 36 teams and feature a new group stage format with 8 pools of 4 teams each.

Reaction

The draw was met with mixed reactions from clubs, pundits, and fans. Some have praised the changes, saying they will make the competition more competitive and exciting, while others have expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the quality and integrity of the tournament.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin defended the changes, saying that they were necessary to keep the competition relevant and attractive to fans around the world.

What are the key changes?

• The number of teams participating in the group stage will increase from 32 to 36.
• The group stage will be replaced by a single league, with each team playing 8 matches against different opponents.
• The top 8 teams in the league will qualify for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing 9th to 24th will enter a play-off round to determine the remaining 8 knockout stage participants.

The changes are designed to make the competition more competitive and exciting, and to give more teams a chance to qualify for the knockout stage.

How will the new format affect the competition?

The new format is likely to have a significant impact on the competition. The increased number of matches will make the group stage more intense and competitive, and the new play-off round will give more teams a chance to qualify for the knockout stage. It remains to be seen how the new format will affect the overall quality of the competition, but it is sure to make the Champions League even more exciting and unpredictable.