The second leg of the play-off round in the Champions League, the number one organization in European football, will begin with matches to be played today. The teams that qualify for the league stage in the Champions League will be determined after tomorrow’s matches.
In the Europa League and Conference League, the teams that will participate in the league stage will become clear after the matches to be played tomorrow and Thursday.
WHAT WILL CHANGE IN THE NEW FORMAT?
UEFA announced that the new format to be applied in European cups will be valid as of this season. In the changed format, the number of teams in the tournaments will increase from 32 to 36.
In the new format, where the number of teams has increased, the group stage will be removed and the teams that will advance to the last 16 will be determined after the league stage.
LEAGUE STAGE SYSTEM
Following the draw, 8 matches will be determined for the 36 teams in the league phase. At the end of these matches, the top 8 teams will advance to the last 16 round.
After 8 matches, the teams between 9th and 24th places will play in the play-offs. At the end of the play-offs, 8 more teams will advance to the last 16 round.
The league system will be valid in all three tournaments organized by UEFA.
In the Champions League and Europa League, teams will play 8 matches in the first stage of the new season. In the Conference League, teams will play 6 matches to qualify for the last 16 round.
WHEN IS THE DRAW?
This year, the draw for the league stages of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League will be determined by special software.
According to the statement made by UEFA, special software will be used in the draw to be held on August 29-30 this season.
According to the UEFA coefficient system, teams will be divided into 4 pots in the Champions League and Europa League, and 6 pots in the Conference League.
In the draw, which will start from the first pot and continue towards the fourth pot, the teams will be paired with 2 opponents from each pot.
The new system will ensure that the draw criteria, such as country protection and no more than two clubs from the same country can be drawn, are randomly drawn without any overlap.
The software will also decide on home and away matches. In order to avoid scheduling conflicts, match dates and kick-off times will be announced on August 31.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
The Champions League season will begin on September 17. The final of Europe’s top club competition will be played at the Allianz Arena on May 31.
The 2024/25 season calendar of the Champions League is as follows:
League stage draw: August 29, 2024
Week 1: September 17-19, 2024
Week 2: October 1-2, 2024
Week 3: October 22-23, 2024
Week 4: November 5-6, 2024
Week 5: November 26-27, 2024
Week 6: December 10-11, 2024
Week 7: January 21-22, 2025
Week 8: January 29, 2025
Play-off: February 11-12, 2025 / February 18-19, 2025
Last 16 round: 4-5 Mart 2025 / 11-12 Mart 2025
Quarterfinal: April 8-9, 2025 / April 15-16, 2025
Semifinal: April 29-30, 2025 / May 6-7, 2025
Final: May 31, 2025
The draw for the play-off round following the league stage in the Champions League will be held on January 31, while the draw for the other rounds will be held on February 21.
EUROPEAN LEAGUE FIXTURES
The Europa League season will begin with matches to be played on September 25 and 26. The final of Europe’s second-largest club competition will be played on May 21 at the San Mames Stadium.
The schedule for the 2024/25 season of the Europa League is as follows:
League stage draw: August 29, 2024
Week 1: September 25-26, 2024
Week 2: October 3, 2024
Week 3: October 24, 2024
Week 4: November 7, 2024
Week 5: November 28, 2024
Week 6: December 12, 2024
Week 7: January 23, 2025
Week 8: January 30, 2025
Play-off: February 13, 2025 / February 20, 2025
Last 16 round: 6 Mart 2025 / 13 Mart 2025
Quarterfinal: April 10, 2025 / April 17, 2025
Semifinal: May 1, 2025 / May 8, 2025
Final: May 21, 2025
CONFERENCE LEAGUE FIXTURES
The Conference League season will start on October 3. The final of Europe’s third-largest club competition will be played on May 28 at the Wroclaw City Stadium.
The Conference League 2024/25 season schedule is as follows:
League stage draw: August 30, 2024
Week 1: October 3, 2024
Week 2: October 24, 2024
Week 3: November 7, 2024
Week 4: November 28, 2024
Week 5: December 12, 2024
Week 6: December 19, 2024
Play-off: February 13, 2025 / February 20, 2025
Last 16 round: 6 Mart 2025 / 13 Mart 2025
Quarterfinal: April 10, 2025 / April 17, 2025
Semifinal: May 1, 2025 / May 8, 2025
Final: May 28, 2025
The draw for the play-off round following the league stage in the Conference League will take place on January 31, while the draw for the other rounds will take place on December 20.
