New Champions League Format?

[Sylar]

Forgive me if I've missed a thread on this over the summer - quite frankly, I haven't been paying much attention - but I caught it in commentary of the Rangers game there - the Champions League is seemingly going to be completely different from next year.

One large league of 36 teams - no smaller groups - each team plays 8 games (4 home, 4 away) and the top 8 go immediately into the last 16, while the remaining teams play-off for the final 8 spots.

I personally don't like the idea - I get that the current format is maybe getting a bit stale (mostly because it's the same behemoths and their big budgets each year), but how can you take league positions in a 36 team league seriously when you aren't all playing the same opposition?

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/champions-league-set-for-major-changes-from-202425-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-the-new-format-works

[7Hero]

if they want bigger torunament why not just extend the number of groups ?

8 games played in a 36 team league seems madness ? assuming they will have to seed teams anyway. What's the advantage of it not being individual groups ?

[DH1875]

Wonder when the Saudi teams will be allowed to join.

[SHODAN]

Wonder when the Saudi teams will be allowed to join.

Instant boycott if (when) they have the nerve to pull that.

[MacBean]

100% happening from next season

[ballengeich]

if they want bigger torunament why not just extend the number of groups ?

8 games played in a 36 team league seems madness ? assuming they will have to seed teams anyway. What's the advantage of it not being individual groups ?
Top seeds play a couple of other top seeds as part of the eight games. It means more matches early on between the big teams who've previously generally been kept apart until the ko stage. It's UEFA trying to avoid the closed shop European league that a number of chairmen want. I don't think this format will last long.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

Looks an utter nonsense to be honest, and similar changes for Europa & Conference.

[chippy]

Similar format for the Europa and Conference leagues

[SHODAN]

Similar format for the Europa and Conference leagues

Ugh.

[nonshinyfinish]

Top seeds play a couple of other top seeds as part of the eight games. It means more matches early on between the big teams who've previously generally been kept apart until the ko stage. It's UEFA trying to avoid the closed shop European league that a number of chairmen want. I don't think this format will last long.

Was it the closed shop aspect that UEFA objected to, or just that they wouldn't be running it? Could view this format as a step in the direction of UEFA doing their own super league.

[Spudster]

If you play Football Manager you'll see what it's like. It's awful.
Thank god FIFA have went back on the decision for the North America World Cup, was gonna be 16 groups of 3 with the top 2 going through :faf:

[PPZPOL]

if they want bigger torunament why not just extend the number of groups ?

8 games played in a 36 team league seems madness ? assuming they will have to seed teams anyway. What's the advantage of it not being individual groups ?

The thing that drives every change in that comp - MONEY.

The same teams are complaining about additional (correct) time being added to injury time in games which they say will endanger player’s welfare, health and safety but they are ok with more games to make them more money in the CL league?

Also fine with jetting off to US etc over the summer to market their brand. That’s fine, but proper accurate injury time is an issue

[Joe6-2]

The lunatics really are running the asylum!

[JeMeSouviens]

Wonder when the Saudi teams will be allowed to join.

Can't be long. UEFA already considering taking the final on tour, what's the betting Saudi will be the first stop? :rolleyes:

https://www.sportcal.com/analysis/uefa-is-considering-taking-the-champions-league-final-to-markets-outside-of-europe-but-is-it-a-wise-idea/

[Carheenlea]

I’m so far detached from the Champions League I couldn’t tell you what the format was previously.

Just feels like big clubs playing amongst themselves with little in way of excitement or romance for most football fans with no skin in the game. Probably the dullest football competition out there.

[Since452]

Really wish they would call it something other than the Champions League. It isn't. Do what you want with it but call it something else.

I've not given it much interest in years to be honest. I'd absolutely love it to be a knock out competition for the champions of each country drawn against each other at random. I really have no time watching the 4th placed team from England play the 4th placed team from Spain in a group format. Boring.