When is the Champions League draw and what is the new format?

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign is only in its infancy but attentions will soon turn to a new-look Champions League, with the draw for this year’s tournament taking place in just over a week’s time.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa secured top-four finishes to seal their place in the pot and fans of all four English clubs will be waiting with bated breath to discover their opponents.

La Liga giants Real Madrid are once again the team to beat after going all the way to be crowned European champions for a 15th time in their history last season.

This year’s competition, which marks the 33rd season since European football’s rebranding, will be decided at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena in Germany.

Whether they like it or not, supporters will have to get used to a new format this season, with Europe’s premier tournament given a makeover following Madrid’s triumph over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in June.

The revamped league phase – consisting of 36 teams – will now reach its crescendo in late January, rather than during December.

UEFA have confirmed there will be weeks dedicated to the competition in the calendar when no other European football is being played.

When is the Champions League draw?

The 2024/25 Champions League draw will be staged at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

UEFA are yet to confirm the exact time the draw will be held in the principality.

Which teams are in the 2024/25 Champions League?

Of the 36 teams set to do battle in the Champions League proper, 29 have already qualified and been allocated their pot.

The final seven places will go to the winning teams from two-legged playoffs, which take place between August 20-28 (below).

How does the Champions League draw work and what is the new format?

This season, the 32-team group stage of the Champions League has been replaced by a league phase featuring all 36 competing clubs.

Rather than playing three teams twice, each side will be drawn against eight different opponents; two from each of the four seeding pots. Every team will play four games at home and four away.

Those teams that finish in positions one to eight (from the 36 teams involved) secure direct qualification to the round-of-16.

Clubs ranked nine to 24 enter into a knockout playoff contest, where victory will secure a spot in the round of 16. Teams in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from the competition.

In the knockout phase, all games are contested home and away, culminating with a single leg format.

UEFA’s video explainer says: ‘In the new league format, every match, every goal, every point and position in the rank counts.

‘The new system will ensure fast-changing and unpredictable standings, more matches between equally ranked teams competing for crucial points, with fans able to enjoy top clashes right from the first match day.’

When does the Champions League start? Full schedule

The Champions League makes its eagerly anticipated return on Tuesday, September 17, 2004 and runs through to Saturday, May 31, 2025.

This year’s final will be held at Munich’s 75,000-seater Allianz Arena, Germany, home to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

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