A Historical Look at the Champions League Format

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Once again, the Champions League format is set to be changed for next season.

This campaign marks the 32nd edition of the competition where it's branded as the Champions League, so let's take a look at the current format and a look back at how it's changed.

Champions League Formats Down the Years

Previously known as the European Cup, the initial format was played on a knockout basis only, playing oppositions across two legs before a match in the final.

It wasn't until 1993 where knockout semi-finals were added to the Champions League following the group phase with the group phase being added in 1991.

A further knockout qualifying round was added in 1997 before another in 1999.

The current format which we know as today's format began to mold itself in 2003 where we saw three knockout rounds and 16 clubs make it out of the group stages.

In the early stages of the European Cup, only one club was allowed to compete from one nation.

Now, however, up to five clubs from one country can take part in the Champions League.

Another notable addition down the years was the away goal rule, but this was abolished in 2021.

What’s more, the final itself had the potential for a replay until the late 1970s, where the game would then go to extra time.

What is New for Next Year?

A total of 78 teams from 53 of the 55 UEFA member associations are set to compete in the 2023/24 Champions League campaign.

This is eventually worked down to 32 after qualification is completed, meaning there are eight groups across the competition.

In 2024/25, four more clubs will be added to the pot, but as opposed to the group stage format, all participants in the Champions League will clash in one big league table.

There will still be a draw at the start of the tournament, but this is merely to create fixtures across the league campaign in the Champions League.

This will see all the teams play in eight games with four at home and four away from home.

Pot 1 will see the champions of the tournament and the eight clubs with the best coefficients, and Pots 24 are ordered on club coefficient.

Each team will then be drawn to play two teams from each pot, so unlike the current way, a club in Pot 1 will meet with a fellow Pot 1 club.