New Champions League format defined: How does 'Swiss' system work, variety of groups, league section

The UEFA Champions League as we all know is about to alter and it noticed its final familiar group stage format performed out earlier this season. We won’t see one other group stage state of affairs play out like that due to the modifications to the present setup which can debut from the 2024-25 season.

The incoming format is called the “Swiss” system and you should have seemingly heard it talked about plenty of instances lately however you may additionally be questioning what it’s and what it’s about to imply for you and your workforce. 

This is every part to know:

Clarify this “Swiss” factor

To begin with, we must always outline precisely what the present format is. The present Champions League group stage sees 32 golf equipment break up throughout eight teams of 4 with the highest two groups from every group advancing to a knockout spherical of 16. The remaining subject is then whittled down over two-legged spherical of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals till a single-game remaining between the final two groups left standing the place the winner takes all. 

From subsequent season, that’s all gone and a brand new construction might be put in place which — in concept — will lead to better leisure with fewer “lifeless rubber” video games between eradicated sides late within the present group stage which simply completed with 4 golf equipment mustering three factors or much less throughout six video games of soccer.

The brand new format, which has been dubbed the “Swiss” system, will function 36 golf equipment in its group stage — so 4 greater than the present mannequin — and people groups will take part in a single massive desk, which can now be often known as the “league stage” as a substitute of the group stage. 

Three factors for a win and one level for a draw continues to be the scoring technique and fixtures might be organized in a draw which sees the 36 groups organized throughout 4 pots of 9 and each membership will face two groups from every of the opposite pots. Groups will play eight video games throughout this stage, up from six.

After eight video games, the highest eight will instantly attain the spherical of 16 whereas groups in ninth to twenty fourth will go right into a playoff spherical which sees every tie play out over two legs. The playoff winners additionally make it to the spherical of 16 whereas the losers are eradicated together with the golf equipment that didn’t make the playoffs. At that time, the acquainted knockout format returns and the spherical of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and remaining is the UCL roadmap that each competitor might be following.

Visualize it for me…

Breaking it down into its easiest format:

• A 36-team “league” ranked by a single desk.
• With eight video games performed in opposition to two groups from 4 totally different pots.
• The highest eight-ranked workforce advance to the common UCL spherical of 16.
• Positions 9 to 24 go right into a two-legged play-off to achieve the spherical of 16.
• Eight playoff winners proceed within the UCL spherical of 16 whereas the losers are eradicated.
• Positions 25 to 36 are eradicated from all types of European soccer for the season.
• Acquainted two-legged knockout format of spherical of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals returns to supply two finalists.

Video: Explaining the format

UEFA explains the format on this video:

This occurs this season?

Sure, the 2024-25 Champions League marketing campaign would be the first ever to function this new “Swiss” system so we’re at the moment witnessing historical past play out as it’s the remaining UCL version to function the standard group stage of 4 groups with two advancing.

Why change it?

In concept, it kills off a few of the much less significant video games which frequently function golf equipment which have already been eradicated earlier than the top of the present group stage. The “Swiss” mannequin follows related codecs to in style occasions akin to Esports which has been crossing over with skilled soccer for years already. Nonetheless, claiming this as solely an organizational adjustment just isn’t completely correct — extra groups means extra video games and extra video games means extra broadcast income. Principally, extra money for all concerned provided that the present fixture format goes to balloon by over 60% with the brand new setup. This isn’t essentially excellent news whenever you have a look at the worrying development of great accidents rising earlier than this taxing new system has even been put into place.

So, enlargement…

Sure, from subsequent yr onwards, the Champions League can have extra golf equipment and extra video games, so there isn’t a getting away from it being an enlargement. 4 new workforce slots within the “league stage” means extra UCL qualification berths which logically brings in newer and larger viewership which in flip brings us one step nearer to a “tremendous league” which conventional fanbases have been rallying in opposition to for years.

Champions League league section fixture listing