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The UEFA Champions League as well as the Europa League and the Conference League are set for major changes. The governing body of the biggest European club competition in the world has announced the changes. The move comes in a bid to make the tournaments more exciting for the teams as well as the fans.
According to the new format, the teams will play 8 Group phase matches instead of three 3 at home and away. Four matches will be played at home while four games will be played away from home.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: UEFA have announced the new format for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League draws... pic.twitter.com/BVqQefL6FU
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 20, 2024
As per the initial way of seeding the teams, there were 8 pots. Now there will be just four pots and the teams will play opposition sides that were seeded in other pots as well. This new initiative gives teams to play more games and the makes the tournament more exciting.
UEFA states reason behind then move
According to UEFA President Alexander Ceferin who said, “UEFA has clearly shown that we are fully committed to respecting the fundamental values of sport and to defending the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit, fully in line with the values and solidarity-based European sports model.”
The UEFA president also said “I am really pleased that it was a unanimous decision of the UEFA Executive Committee, with the European Club Association, European Leagues and national associations all agreeing with the proposal made. Another proof that European football is more united than ever."
Not just the Champions League even the Europa League and Conference League will be played with a new format. The same seeding and pot system will be used in Europe’s second and third-tier tournaments.
Real Madrid are the defending champions after beating Borussia Dortmund in the finals last year. This year
Manchester United will play in the Europa League after they won the FA Cup last year. Erik Ten Hag and his side had finished 8th in the table.
The Champions League and Europa League will start from September and run till January while the conference will see their group phase matches end in December.