Next season the UEFA Champions League is changing things up by adding an extra 4 teams to their format. Previous seasons have seen 8 pools of 4 with each team playing 3 home and away games before the knockout stages start.
The 2024/25 format does not have any pools and all teams are in one league table playing 8 matches of which 4 will be at home and 4 away against different opposition. The teams who your club plays is done via seeding with 4 different groups and each team that is seeded being allocated 2 teams from each group. It is important where you finish this season to try and at least be seeded.
The aim is to have some of the bigger teams playing each other so fans get to see more of the stars from other countries. The old format could see teams with an easy ride through to the knockout stages and now this has been turned on it's head.
The question is which country will benefit from the new format with an additional team being added for two countries changing the allocation from 4 to 5 teams participating. The answer is we still do not know yet and the scoring is being calculated across all the UEFA competitions with each match worth the same number of points. As long as the teams stay in and win their games they are scoring towards the final tally that will decide which country benefits.
Champions League Points System
Group stage participation - 4 points allocated to each representing country
Round of 16 - 5 points allocated
QF, SF, Final - 1 point
Europa League bonus points
Group winners - 4 points
Round of 16 - 2 points
QF, SF, Final - 1 point
Europa Conference League bonus points
Group winners - 2 point
Group runners-up - 1 point
SF, final - 1 point
The points table as it stands currently with Italy and Germany looking really good with England under pressure. No one saw Liverpool losing last night to an Italian club and with West ham losing to the Germans along with Arsenal drawing with another German club and Man City drawing with a Spanish club these are all lost points. Aston Villa however won against a French club last night which is points in the bag.
- Italy, 18.428
- Germany, 16.785
- England, 16.750
- Spain, 15.062
- France, 14.750
Spain are not out of the running either because all it would take is Real Madrid ,Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to go through to the semi finals and that would be enough to overtake the English clubs to having the 5th spot.
This is very tight right now and Liverpool down 3 nil to Atalanta (Italian) could gift the Italians the 5th spot. Upsets are bound to happen and so much is relying on Manchester City and Arsenal who if they lose their next European matches would end any idea of England having a bonus 5th team competing in the Champions League next season.
There is so much money hinging on the 5th spot for whichever team gets the nod the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa will be routing for Man City and even Arsenal to do well. They have to think about qualifying 4th just in case the 5th spot does not pan out which it is looking like that is slipping away. Still not over yet however and depends on next weeks results which could see this table change yet again.
Remember it is not just about winning the Champions League because every club
competing earns a small fortune. This season for every group sage win clubs earn €2.8m and €960K for a draw. reaching the knockout stages guarantees another €9.6m which is €4.8m for 2 matches whether you win, lose or draw.€10.6m for a quarterfinal spot, €12.5m for a semi final and €15.5m for finishing second with the overall winner earning €20m.
Next season with the extra 2 games would mean an extra chance to bank another €5.6 million. In theory teams if they have a good run without even winning the trophy can earn close to €50m and why every club wants to be part of this competition.