The Champions League is back and it’s doing so in a new form. The 70th edition of the Champions League will kick off on 17 September with a facelift following the approval of the new format. However, first the traditional draw will be held to determine the matches for the new “group” on 29 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
From the group stage to the league
This year the dynamics change and the group stage disappears in favour of a league format, which starts on 17 September. The teams will play eight matches in the league phase, facing eight different rivals, half at home and the other half away. The competition will kick off with the first matchday between 17 and 19 September and will end on 29 January with the eighth:
- Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024
- Matchday 2: October 1/2, 2024
- Matchday 3: October 22/23, 2024
- Matchday 4: November 5/6, 2024
- Matchday 5: November 26/27, 2024
- Matchday 6: December 10/11, 2024
- Matchday 7: January 21/22, 2025
- Matchday 8: January 29, 2025
The play-off, the opportunity to qualify
Another new feature is the play-off. The results of each match will decide the overall standings, with three points awarded for a win and one for a draw. The top eight teams will advance automatically, while the teams ranked between 9th and 24th will play a two-legged play-off to secure their place in the round of 16 of the competition. The first leg will be played on 11 and 12 February and the second leg on 18 and 19 February.
The rest, as always
Once the teams that will contest the round of 16 are known, the competition will continue as usual. The knockout stages will be played on March 4 and 5 (first leg) and the return leg on March 11 and 12. The quarter-finals will be played on April 8 and 9 (first leg) and the return leg on April 15 and 16. The semi-finals will be played on April 29 and 30 (first leg) and May 6 and 7 (second leg). The competition will culminate on May 31 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
