How has the new UEFA Champions League format worked out?

Despite those who are resistant to change in football, the UEFA Champions League has completed its new format. Instead of multiple groups, all 32 teams played in a single group, playing selected other teams across eight matchdays. So, how has it worked out? Have the "smaller" teams been able to really give it a go and upset the offshore sportsbook's odds, or has it ruined the purity of the competition?

Added excitement to the conclusion

With all the games co-occurring, the new format brings end-of-season excitement to the UEFA Champions League. Many teams entered Wednesday night still in contention for a top-eight spot or even elimination in the bottom-eight places. Given that all the teams are in a single table, all manner of results across the continent contributed to the final standings. While the old system had its charms, this revamped version most certainly injected jeopardy, risk, and reward into the final round of games, which before had been all determined when it came to matchday six.

More opportunity beyond the elite leagues?

One of the considerations that prompted the change in the system was that the bigger teams (from the classically dominant nations: England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France) always qualified, leaving little room for others. In the prior two group stages, there were just three teams outside these top five leagues.

Under this new system, that number has doubled to six, as teams from the Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, and Belgium have all secured progression. Granted, none finished in the top eight, but at least they have a chance.

Does it reward failure?

One issue with this new format is that it could be seen as rewarding failure. Twenty-four teams now make the second phase. Is rewarding the 24 best teams with more opportunities out of a league of 32 is worth? It would be like giving a trophy to each in the top two-thirds of the Premier League table.

Manchester City has been objectively poor in the competition. They lost to Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Sporting CP. They secured wins over weak opponents from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Belgium. If you were to bet on soccer with these offshore sportsbooks then City would've been ranked as one of the top-three favorites before the tournament started, but they were 45 minutes away from crashing out on the final matchday and would've surely missed out in the old format.

The points per game requirement is lower

In the 2023-24 season, teams needed 10.2 points from six games on average to qualify from the UEFA Champions League group stage to the knockout round. On average, that meant getting at least 1.6 points per match. This newer system requires 11 points from eight games, meaning that only 1.4 points per game is needed. It might be a minimal difference, but in theory, it is easier to qualify with this new format.

More games to watch

One objectively reasonable attribute of the new format is that there is more football for the fans to watch. Each team now plays eight games instead of six. Whether that’s another chance to watch them on the ground or on television, fans typically want to see their team more often.

Some players and managers get irate about the already congested fixture list, but they will still reap the benefits of increased income revenues from playing more games.

New intermediate round

The new Champions League system features a brand new phase. The teams ranked 9th to 24th have to play a two-legged tie. The top 8 teams get to bypass this round and are automatically in the round of 16 phase. This is another chance for teams to play and earn yet more money television viewership, and there are already some tasty looking ties lying in wait.

Is this what the ‘big teams’ wanted?

Remember when some classically big teams wanted to form their continental competition? They called it the European Super League, or ESL for short. Dissent and dissatisfaction with the old UEFA Champions League format prompted this change. Teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain all wanted to secure their space eternally at the top of European football.

Poetically, none of those teams were placed in the top eight. One of Manchester City and Real Madrid won’t even make it to the round of 16, as those two were drawn against one another in the aforementioned intermediate round. Instead, teams like Aston Villa, Lille, and Bayer Leverkusen got the automatic spots.

05.02.2025