New Champions League format explained: How it works, schedule and how to watch in UK

Things are a little bit different this season… (Picture: UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

The 2024/25 Champions League kicks-off this evening and Europe’s biggest club competition has undergone a radical change.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are the Premier League clubs vying for glory against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

Whether they like it or not, supporters will have to get used to a new format this season, with Europe’s premier tournament given a makeover following Real Madrid’s triumph over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in June.

Here’s everything you need to know about the all-new Champions League, including how the new format works, the full schedule and how to watch on TV and live stream.

What is the new Champions League format and how does it work?

This season, the 32-team group stage of the Champions League has been replaced by a league phase featuring 36 clubs, which is commonly being referred to as a ‘Swiss model’.

Rather than playing three teams twice, each side has been drawn against eight different opponents; two from each of the four seeding pots. Every team will play four games at home and four away.

The results will determine where all 36 teams finish in one large league table. Those that finish in positions one to eight secure direct qualification to the round-of-16.

Clubs ranked nine to 24 enter into a knockout playoff contest, where victory will secure a spot in the round of 16. Teams in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from the competition.

In the knockout phase, all games are contested home and away, culminating with a single leg format.

UEFA’s video explainer says: ‘In the new league format, every match, every goal, every point and position in the rank counts.

‘The new system will ensure fast-changing and unpredictable standings, more matches between equally ranked teams competing for crucial points, with fans able to enjoy top clashes right from the first match day.’

Full Champions League Schedule

Real Madrid are the defending champions (Picture: Getty)

The Champions League makes its eagerly anticipated return on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 and runs through to Saturday, May 31, 2025.

This season’s final will be held at Munich’s 75,000-seater Allianz Arena, Germany, home to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Who will the Premier League clubs play?

As UEFA hoped, the draw for the league phase has thrown up some tasty fixtures, with Arsenal up against the likes of French champions PSG, Italian champions Inter Milan and Europa League winners Atalanta.

Manchester City also take on Inter and PSG, while Liverpool face reigning champions Real Madrid as well German champions Bayer Leverkusen who are managed by Anfield legend Xabi Alonso.

Aston Villa are playing in Europe’s top competition for the first time since 1983 and their fixtures include Bayern Munich, Juventus and Scottish champions Celtic.

Full details of who the English sides will be facing in the league phase can be found here.

How to watch the Champions League on TV and live stream in the UK

In addition to the new format, there are also new ways to watch the Champions League in the UK this season.

TNT Sports will remain the main home of the UCL and show almost every match. Their coverage can also be streamed on Discovery+.

However, Amazon Prime Video will also broadcast one Tuesday night game live in every matchday, starting with Liverpool’s trip to AC Milan tonight.

Additionally, BBC Sport will show highlights from the games – Match of the Day style – on the Wednesday of every matchday, starting tomorrow night at 10:40pm.

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