The UEFA Champions League underwent its biggest overhaul in decades, replacing the familiar eight groups of four with a single, expanded league phase. If you’re catching up, here’s how the new format works.

36 Teams, One Table

The competition expanded from 32 to 36 teams, all placed in one combined standings table rather than separate groups.

Eight Matches Each

Instead of playing the same three opponents home and away, every club plays eight different opponents — four at home and four away — drawn from across four seeding pots. It means more variety and more marquee match-ups in the opening phase.

Who Qualifies

  • Top 8 in the table advance straight to the round of 16.
  • Teams 9–24 enter a two-legged knockout play-off for the remaining eight round-of-16 places.
  • Teams 25–36 are eliminated from European competition entirely.

Why UEFA Changed It

The aim was more competitive, higher-stakes matches throughout the league phase — fewer dead rubbers and more jeopardy, with every result affecting a single shared table right up to the final matchday.