The UEFA Champions League is one of the most prestigious club football competitions in the world, bringing together top teams from across Europe. Over the years, the tournament has undergone several changes, with the new format introduced in the 2024–2025 season significantly changing how teams compete and qualify for the knockout stages.

Understanding the tournament format can help football fans follow the competition more closely and understand how teams progress toward the final.

How Does the New Champions League Format Work?

Starting with the 2024–2025 season, the UEFA Champions League replaced the traditional group stage with a single league phase featuring 36 teams.

Instead of being divided into separate groups, all participating teams are placed in one league table. Each team plays eight matches against eight different opponents, with four matches played at home and four away.

Teams earn points based on their results, and their positions in the league table determine whether they qualify directly for the Round of 16, enter the knockout play-offs, or are eliminated from the competition.

How Many Teams Participate in the Champions League?

Under the format used in the 2026–2027 season, 36 teams participate in the Champions League league phase.

The participating clubs qualify through their performances in their respective domestic leagues and, where applicable, through the Champions League qualifying rounds. The number of places allocated to each country depends on UEFA's competition access rules and the relevant qualification criteria.

This format allows more clubs to participate in the league phase while creating additional opportunities for teams to compete against different opponents from across Europe.

How Do Teams Qualify for the Knockout Stages?

At the end of the league phase, the 36 teams are ranked in a single league table. Their final positions determine their next step in the competition:

• 1st–8th place: These teams qualify directly for the Round of 16.
• 9th–24th place: These teams enter the knockout play-offs, where they compete for a place in the Round of 16.
• 25th–36th place: These teams are eliminated from the competition and do not transfer to the UEFA Europa League.

Finishing among the top eight provides a significant advantage because those teams avoid the additional play-off round. Teams ranked between ninth and 24th must win their play-off ties to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

Champions League Knockout Stages

After the league phase and knockout play-offs, the competition continues with the traditional knockout rounds:

• Round of 16
• Quarter-finals
• Semi-finals
• Final

The Round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals are played over two legs, with each team playing once at home and once away. The aggregate score across both matches determines which team advances.

If the aggregate score is level after the second leg, extra time is played. If the teams remain level, the winner is decided by a penalty shoot-out.

The final is different: it is played as a single match at a neutral venue. If the score is level after 90 minutes, extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out determine the champion.

How Is the New Champions League Format Different from the Old One?

Under the previous format, teams were divided into groups and played home-and-away matches against the other clubs in their group. The top teams then advanced to the knockout stages.

The new format replaces those separate groups with a single league table. Each team faces eight different opponents, and all 36 teams are ranked together.

This change creates more varied matchups during the league phase and makes the final league standings especially important. Teams must aim for a strong position to secure direct qualification or improve their chances of progressing through the play-offs.

Conclusion

The UEFA Champions League features a new league-phase format with 36 teams, each playing eight matches against different opponents. The top eight teams qualify directly for the Round of 16, while teams finishing between 9th and 24th compete in the knockout play-offs. Teams ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated.

If you want to follow the competition, explore upcoming fixtures, and check match information, visit the UEFA Champions League page on ManiBet.