We are very close to knowing the winners of the Champions League 2023/24 campaign as two remaining teams will compete for the coveted trophy.
Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are set to face each other on June 1 as one of them will make history in European football.
The 2024/25 season is expected to be even more entertaining for the fans, who have been watching Europe's top competition throughout the years.
The fresh campaign will mark the beginning of the new format in the UEFA Champions League, which will extend from 32 to 36 clubs.
Teams in Champions League group stage 2024/25
England (4): Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa
Spain (4): Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Atlético de Madrid
Germany (4): Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Bayern, Leipzig
Italy (4): Inter, Milan, Bologna, Juventus
France (3): Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Brest
Netherlands (2): PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
Portugal (1): Sporting CP
Belgium (1): Club Brugge
Scotland (1): Celtic
Austria (1): Sturm Graz
European Performance Spots (2)*: Atalanta (ITA), Dortmund (GER)
Champions League winner rebalancing (1)**: Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Europa League winner rebalancing (1)***: Benfica (POR)
When is the Champions League 2024/25?
The 2024–25 UEFA Champions League will take place in 2024–25. The new model for the UEFA Champions League, which was agreed upon in May 2022, will be used for the first time in this season of the competition.
Where is the 2024/25 Champions League final?
At the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, the final match is scheduled to take place on May 31st, 2025.
Champions League dates 2024/25
Qualifying Stage
- First Qualifying Rd.: 9–10 July 2024 / 16–17 July 2024
- Second Qualifying Rd.: 23–24 July 2024 / 30–31 July 2024
- Third Qualifying Rd.: 6–7 August 2024 / 13 August 2024
- Playoffs: 20–21 August 2024 / 27–28 August 2024
Group Stage (36 teams):
- Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024
- Matchday 2: 1–2 October 2024
- Matchday 3: 22–23 October 2024
- Matchday 4: 5–6 November 2024
- Matchday 5: 26–27 November 2024
- Matchday 6: 10–11 December 2024
- Matchday 7: 21–22 January 2025
- Matchday 8: 29 January 2025
When are the 2024/25 Champions League knockout stages?
- Knockout Round: 11–12 February 2025 / 18–19 February 2025
- Round of 16: 4–5 March 2025 / 11–12 March 2025
- March 2024 Quarter-finals: 8–9 April 2025 / 15–16 April 2025
- Semi finals: 29–30 April 2025 / 6–7 May 2025
- Final: 31 May 2025
UEFA 2022/23 Champions League winners Manchester City / Image Source: Getty Images
When are the Champions League draws in 2024/25?
The opening draw for the tournament's first qualifying round will be held on June 18.
Champions League 2024-25 draws
- First qualifying round: 18 June 2024
- Second qualifying round: 19 June 2024
- Third qualifying round: 22 July 2024
- Playoff round: 5 August 2024
- Group stage: 29 August 2024
- Round of 16: TBD
- Quarterfinals & semifinals: TBD
What is the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 format?
- A 36-team "league" rated using a single table.
- There were eight games played between two teams from four distinct pots.
- The top eight rated teams will proceed to the regular UCL round of 16.
- Positions nine through twenty-four compete in a two-legged playoff to advance to the round of sixteen.
- Eight play-off winners go to the UCL round of 16, while the losers are sent to the Europa League.
- Positions 25–36 are eliminated from all categories of European soccer for the season.
- The familiar two-legged knockout format of round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals returns to choose two finalists.
The new structure, termed the "Swiss" system, will include 36 clubs in its group stage, four more than the present model, and those teams would compete in a single large ranking known as the "League Stage" rather than the group stage.
The scoring system remains three points for a victory and one point for a draw, and matches will be drawn, with the 36 clubs divided into four groups of nine, with each club facing two opponents from each of the other pots. After eight games, the top eight will go straight to the round of 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th will compete in a play-off round, with each tie played over two legs.
The winners of the play-offs advance to the round of 16, while the losers play in the UEFA Europa League, and clubs ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated from European competition completely. At that time, the usual knockout system resumes, with the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final serving as the UCL route for all competitors.
Sources: Wikipedia/UEFA