The 2024/25 Champions League kicks off in less than a month with a new format, more teams and an action-packed league stage fixture schedule.
Every year, the best clubs in Europe compete in the Champions League to see which team is the best on the continent (and the world). The competition usually consists of 32 qualified clubs who must perform well in the group stage to progress to the knockout rounds and ideally make it all the way to the final.
The 2024/25 Champions League, however, includes some key changes to the tournament. Now, there will be 36 teams competing in the new league stage, formally coined the group stage. The unique league competition, with eight matches instead of six, will offer a wider range of opponents and competition before the knockout stages.
Here’s a breakdown of the new format, as well as the fixture list for the league stage coming up in a few weeks.
Here’s the full breakdown of the 2024/25 Champions League stage fixture schedule:
Unlike previous years, teams will now play eight different teams throughout the new league phase, instead of playing three opponents twice.
Matches will run throughout the autumn and conclude in the new year before the knockout stages begin in February.
The league stage cannot begin until the Champions League play-offs determine the remaining teams taking part in Europe’s biggest competition.
The play-off schedule is as follows:
Only once the 36 teams have been decided will the draw for the Champions League stage begin on Thursday 29 August.
