How does the UEFA Champions League work? 360 Overview

The UEFA Champions League is a tournament among 36 football teams. Here is a brief description of the Champions League format.

What is the UEFA Champions League?

UEFA Champions League (UCL) is the most prestigious football tournament in the world, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) annually. It was introduced in 1955 as the European Cup. Initially, it was a knockout tournament only for the champions of Europe’s domestic leagues. In 1991, group-stage matches based on the round-robin system were added. In 1992, the competition rebranded itself to take the current name while, from season 1997-98, certain countries were allowed to enter the competition.

The Champions League is an annual competition. Currently, 36 teams participate in the Champions League, selected through a combination of direct qualifications, performance and playoffs. Earlier, the participation of teams was limited to 32. The new format has been introduced in the beginning of season 2024-25.

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What Is The Champions League Format?

The UEFA Champions League's new format allows 36 teams to participate instead of 32.

Selection of teams in the UEFA Champions League

The teams are selected based on performances in domestic leagues while the winners from certain leagues and tournaments get direct qualification.

Direct Qualification: 29 out of 36 teams qualify directly based on the top domestic leagues.  UEFA coefficients (ranking system in European football) determine the number of teams entering the Champions League. Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga are the top four leagues based on UEFA coefficients.

• England, Spain, Italyand Germany provide four teams each.
• Franceand Portugal each provide three teams.
• Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Scotlandeach provide one team.
• Winners from the previous season of the Champions League and Europa Leaguequalify directly (in case not selected via domestic league) for the next season of the Champions League.

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Performance-based spots: 2 teams based on the best performance collectively in previous seasons of leagues in Europe are selected. This season England and Germany have secured these 2 spots.

Qualifying rounds and playoffs: 5 teams are selected by competing in a qualifying phase. Playoffs between non-champions from high-ranked leagues and low-rank associations decide the final five spots in the Champions League.

This selection process ensures the participation of football teams from various leagues and countries.

The selected 36 teams participate in a single league.

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League Phase

The league phase starts in September and ends in January. The UEFA Champions League has eliminated the traditional group phase. Unlike before the teams are not divided into groups but instead ranked in a single table. Teams are divided into four pots based on coefficient points. Each team plays eight matches (four away and four home) against different opponents (two from each pot) to earn points. The winning team gets 3 points while the losing team gets none. A draw awards 1 point to each team.

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Knockout Phase

The top eight teams from the league phase directly qualify for the round of 16, a traditional knockout format with quarter-finals and semi-finals, followed by a final. Teams from ninth to twenty-fourth position enter a two-legged playoff to fill the remaining spots for the round of 16. The rest of the teams get eliminated.

The winner of the UEFA Champions League qualifies directly for the next season of the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Cup. 

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UEFA Champions League 2024-25

Liverpool is leading the current UEFA Champions League 2024-25. Liverpool has earned 15 points, Inter Milan and Barcelona are in second and third position with 13 and 12 points respectively. The teams have played 5 matches out of 8. Matchday 6 will be held on Tuesday, 10 Dec 2025.

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The current title holders Real Madrid (winner of season 2023-24) are currently in 24^th position with 5 points. Coming matches are crucial to determine whether Real Madrid can reach the knockout stage or will be thrown out of the Europa League.

The final of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 is decided to happen at Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31.

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How To Get Champions League Tickets?

Champions League tickets are available at 1BoxOffice. 1BoxOffice provides tickets at affordable rates. To buy Champions League tickets online, follow these simple steps.

Your tickets will be delivered via email or mobile ticketing.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)