The new tournament features 36 teams. Each team plays eight matches. The opponents are selected in a draw. This means that there are no longer group stages, but rather fixtures that are made through a draw. For instance, Madrid can play Inter Milan. And Inter Milan can play Man City but then Man City might not have Madrid in its fixture. This means that every team simply plays fixtures that are made for it not based on group selection.
These eight matches are divided into four away games and four home games. Unlike the former tournament, you will not get a chance to play the same team home and away. You will either play the team at your home tuff or Away but not both unless you have reached the round of 16.
The best eight teams will proceed to the round of 16. Then the team in the 9 to the 24th position will play another playoff to reach the round of 16. The 25th to 36th team will be relegated out of the tournament. In case there is a tie in the 8th or 24th position, UEFA will use other procedures to determine who proceeds to the next stage. These include but are not limited to the number of goals conceded, and the number of goals scored among several other tiebreakers.
Tournament Structure
| Stage | Number of Teams | Key Features | Progression/Elimination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single League Phase | 36 | – Teams play 8 matches (4 home, 4 away) | Top 8 teams advance to Round of 16 |
| – 10 additional matches per team, replacing the old group stage system | Teams ranked 9th–24th play a two-legged playoff to reach the Round of 16 | ||
| Playoffs | 16 (Teams ranked 9–24) | – Two-legged knockout (Home and Away) | Winners advance to the Round of 16, losers eliminated |
| Round of 16 | 16 | – Two-legged knockout (Home and Away) | Winners advance to Quarterfinals |
| Quarterfinals | 8 | – Two-legged knockout (Home and Away) | Winners advance to Semifinals |
| Semifinals | 4 | – Two-legged knockout (Home and Away) | Winners advance to the Final |
| Final | 2 | – Single match, neutral venue | Winner crowned Champions League champion |