UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 is set to bring a breath of fresh air to Europe’s premier club competition with a brand-new format. The traditional group stage has been overhauled in favor of a “league phase,” offering fans a more dynamic and unpredictable competition.
With 36 teams participating and no more group stages, the stakes are higher than ever before. Here’s a comprehensive guide on when and where to watch the UCL, how the new format works, and an overview of the teams and matchups.
UEFA Champions League 2024-25: A New Format
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League introduces a significant change to the tournament’s structure. Gone are the days of eight groups with four teams each, playing six matches in a home-and-away round-robin format.
A new era begins.
The best club competition in the world just got better.#UCLdraw || #UCL pic.twitter.com/XWcKlgrpLd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
The new format sees 36 teams competing in a single league phase, where each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents. This shift aims to increase competition and excitement by pitting more teams against each other in the early stages of the tournament.
Key Features of the New Format:
- Single League Phase: All 36 teams are placed in a single league, ranked together based on their performance across eight matches. Each team will play four home and four away matches against different opponents, chosen from various pots to ensure diversity in matchups.
- Match Selection: The matchups are determined by a computer program after an initial manual draw, ensuring each team faces a balanced mix of opponents from different pots.
- Knockout Qualification:
- Top 8: The teams finishing in the top eight positions in the league phase will automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
- Playoffs: The teams that finish between 9th and 24th will compete in a playoff round to secure the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16.
- Elimination: Teams finishing from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from European competition, with no transfer to the UEFA Europa League.
- No Europa League Transfer: Unlike previous seasons, the teams that finish outside the top 24 in the league phase will not drop down to the Europa League. This adds to the pressure as teams must finish in the top 24 to continue their European journey.
UEFA Champions League Draw Process and Pots
For the 2024-25 season, the 36 participating teams are divided into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients and domestic league performances. The pots are designed to balance the competition, ensuring that top-seeded teams do not face each other too early in the tournament.
Pot Breakdown:
- Pot 1: Real Madrid (ESP), Manchester City (ENG), Bayern Munich (GER), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), Liverpool (ENG), Inter Milan (ITA), Borussia Dortmund (GER), Barcelona (ESP).
- Pot 2: Bayer Leverkusen (GER), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Atalanta (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Benfica (POR), Arsenal (ENG), Club Brugge (BEL), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), AC Milan (ITA).
- Pot 3: Feyenoord (NED), Sporting CP (POR), PSV Eindhoven (NED), Dinamo Zagreb (CRO), Red Bull Salzburg (AUT), Lille (FRA), Red Star Belgrade (SRB), Young Boys (SUI), Celtic (SCO).
- Pot 4: Slovan Bratislava (SVK), Monaco (FRA), Sparta Prague (CZE), Aston Villa (ENG), Bologna (ITA), Girona (ESP), Stuttgart (GER), Sturm Graz (AUT), Brest (FRA).
Who Plays Who?
The draw will see each team from the four pots being assigned eight different opponents, four of which will be played at home and four away. The system is designed to ensure that each team faces a mix of strong and weaker opponents from different pots, creating a balanced yet challenging set of fixtures.
Sample Matchups:
- Real Madrid (Pot 1) might face Liverpool (Pot 1) at home, AC Milan (Pot 2) away, Celtic (Pot 3) at home, and Aston Villa (Pot 4) away, among other matches.
- Manchester City (Pot 1) could be pitted against Paris Saint-Germain (Pot 1) at home, Juventus (Pot 2) away, Feyenoord (Pot 3) at home, and Monaco (Pot 4) away.
Important Matchups to Watch:
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City: A potential clash between two of the wealthiest and most star-studded teams in the world.
- Real Madrid vs. Liverpool: A repeat of recent Champions League finals, promising fireworks and a battle of footballing giants.
- Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund: Two clubs with a rich history and passionate fanbases, this matchup would be one to watch.
Where to Watch the UEFA Champions League in India
Indian football fans can look forward to an exciting season of UEFA Champions League action, with multiple options available to catch all the matches live.
Television Broadcast
- Sony Sports Network: Sony Sports Network continues to be the official broadcaster of the UEFA Champions League in India. Matches will be telecast live on various channels under the Sony Sports umbrella, including Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, and Sony Ten 3. These channels provide commentary in English and other regional languages, catering to a wide audience.
Online Streaming
- SonyLIV App and Website: For those who prefer to watch matches on the go or don’t have access to television, the SonyLIV app and website offer live streaming of all UEFA Champions League matches. Subscriptions to SonyLIV’s premium service will be required to access the live streams. The app is available for download on both Android and iOS devices, making it convenient for fans to watch matches anywhere, anytime.
JioTV
- JioTV: If you are a Jio user, you can also stream UEFA Champions League matches live on the JioTV app. This service provides access to Sony Sports Network channels directly through the app, allowing you to watch the matches without any additional subscription.
Broadcast Timings
- Match Timings: Most UEFA Champions League matches will kick off at either 12:30 AM IST (midnight) or 1:30 AM IST, depending on the schedule. However, the timings may vary for early kick-off matches, so it’s advisable to check the schedule closer to match days.
With a new format, increased competition, and the world’s best teams vying for glory, this season is set to be one of the most thrilling yet.
Whether you’re watching on TV or streaming online, make sure to tune in on August 29 to catch the draw and see how the road to the final in Wembley begins.
See More: How AI Champions League draw will work – explained
