The UEFA Champions League is set to return this season, featuring a selection of clubs as always.

However, this year's competition will adopt a new format that diverges significantly from previous iterations. Marking its 70th season since its establishment, the revamped structure appears to be more intense than before.

The competition will now consist of a single league stage with 36 teams, where each team will face eight opponents—four matches at home and four away.

The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the round of 16, while those finishing in positions nine to twenty-four will enter the knockout round play-offs, with the victors moving on to the round of sixteen.

The tournament will then proceed as a straightforward knockout format leading up to the final.

UEFA has officially announced the schedule for the competition. The group stage matches (now phase matches) will be as follows;

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

The knockout matches will be as follows;

Knockout round play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025

Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025

Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025

Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025

Final: 31 May 2025

Champions League Draws

The Phase Matches draw will occur on August 29th. Knockout round play-offs draws will be held on January 31st, while round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals draws will be held on February 21st.

Final

The championship game will be held at the Allianz Arena, home of the German football club Bayern Munich. The stadium previously hosted the UEFA Champions League final in 2012.

Please be aware that the dates may be subject to alteration if circumstances warrant it.