UCL to expand from 32 to 36 teams from 2024

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The number of teams in the Champions League will rise from 32 to 36 from the 2024-25 season under changes approved by UEFA.

Under the new format, each team will play eight games over 10 match weeks.

The highest performing countries in each individual season of UEFA club play will be given two of the additional four spots.

“The desire of participating will continue for all teams,” stated UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

An earlier proposal to offer two Champions League spots to clubs based on their previous European competition performance will not be implemented.

Those spots would have been assigned based on a club’s coefficient under that rejected idea.

Critics said that this would have favored the usually “larger” clubs, giving them a safety net if they had a bad season.

Another difference from the original plans is that the number of games in the group phase has been increased from six to eight instead of the projected ten.

“UEFA has demonstrated today that we are totally dedicated to upholding sport’s fundamental principles and protecting the important premise of open tournaments with qualification based on sporting merit, entirely following the values and solidarity-based European sports model,” Ceferin said.

“We are certain that the format adopted strikes the correct balance and will improve the competitive balance while improving the attractiveness and popularity of our club events.”

Ceferin said the new model had been unanimously accepted by UEFA’s executive committee, with league bodies and national associations across Europe agreeing.

“Qualification will so remain solely based on sporting achievement, and all clubs will have the opportunity to compete,” he added.

 

 

Vincent Paul