Previously, 32 teams participated in a group stage with different pools. This will no longer be the case in the 2024/2025 season. The group stage has been changed to a competition stage in which 36 clubs participate. Each club is paired with eight opponents during the draw. The clubs then play four matches at home and four matches away. There will therefore be no double encounters in this phase.
The eight best clubs qualify directly for the knockout phase. Numbers 9 to 24 play an intermediate round. The winners of that intermediate round continue their way in the Europa League. Numbers 25 to 36 are directly eliminated from European football. This also applies to the losers of the intermediate round. The safety net of the Conference League no longer exists. Also, no clubs flow in from the Champions League.
The eight opponents in the competition phase will be determined by drawing lots on Friday at 13:00. Ajax will be in pot one. First, a random ball will be drawn from this first pot, after which the computer will pair eight random opponents from the total of four pots with the drawn club. This way, two opponents will come from each pot.
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Make your own EL draw and pair Ajax with eight opponents!
The computer then also determines per pot against whom you play at home and away. Suppose Ajax draws Manchester United and AS Roma from pot one. Then you play against one opponent at home, while you visit the other club. The same applies to the opponents from pots two, three and four. The match schedule will be published on Saturday.
There are also restrictions during the draw. For example, you cannot be drawn against a team from your own country, while you play against a maximum of two teams from a certain competition. Another example: Ajax cannot face AZ or FC Twente, but can face two Turkish clubs such as Fenerbahce and Galatasaray
From the round of 16 onwards, everything will be back to normal, with a knockout system. The final will be played on 21 May 2025 at Estadio de San Mamés in the Spanish city of Bilbao.
So, now you’re caught up. Does this all sound a bit vague? Then check this page and the accompanying videos. That makes things a lot clearer.
Pot 2
🇬🇧 Real Sociedad
🇵🇹 SC Braga
🇬🇷 Olympiakos Piraeus
🇫🇷Olympic Lyon
🇬🇷 Paok Thessaloniki
🇹🇷 Fenerbahce SK
🇮🇱 Maccabi Tel Aviv FC
🇭🇺 Ferencvaros— Ajax Life (@ajaxlife) August 29, 2024
Pot 4
🇪🇸 Athletic Club
🇩🇪 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
🇫🇷 OGC Nice
🇧🇪 RSC Anderlecht
🇹🇷 Besiktas JK
🇷🇴 FCSB
🇱🇻 FK RFS
🇸🇪 IF Elfsborg— Ajax Life (@ajaxlife) August 29, 2024
