UCL 2024/25: Full list of teams, format, dates, draws, final

The UEFA Champions League is set to introduce a groundbreaking change for the 2024-25 season, transitioning to a new format that will see 36 teams compete in a league-style phase.

This marks a significant shift from the traditional group stage format, promising more excitement and competitive matches.

What new format entails

The most notable change is the elimination of the group stage in favor of a single league phase involving all 36 teams.

Each club will play eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away.

The top eight teams from this league phase will automatically secure their spots in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, teams finishing in positions nine through 24 will enter a knockout phase play-off.

The winners of these play-offs will then join the top eight in the round of 16, after which the tournament will proceed in its familiar knockout format.

Qualified Teams for the 2024/25 Season

As anticipation builds for Thursday’s draw, several teams have already secured their spots in this new-look competition.

These clubs are gearing up to navigate the challenges of the revamped format in their quest for European glory.

The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 promises to deliver a thrilling season with this innovative structure, offering fans and teams alike a fresh and intense experience.

Pot One:

Real Madrid (ESP)

Manchester City (ENG)

Bayern Munich (GER)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

Liverpool (ENG)

Inter Milan (ITA)

Borussia Dortmund (GER)

RB Leipzig (GER)

Barcelona (ESP)

Pot Two:

Bayer Leverkusen (GER)

Atletico Madrid (ESP)

Atalanta (ITA)

Juventus (ITA)

Benfica (POR)

Arsenal (ENG)

Club Brugge (BEL)

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

AC Milan (ITA)

Pot Three:

Feyenoord (NED)

Sporting (POR)

PSV Eindhoven (NED)

Celtic (SCO)

Young Boys (SUI)

Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) or Qarabag (AZE)

Slavia Prague (CZE) or Lille (FRA)

Pot Three or Four (depending on results of play-off ties):

Midtjylland (DEN) or Slovan Bratislava (SVK)

Bodo/Glimt (NOR) or Red Star Belgrade (SRB)

Pot Four:

Monaco (FRA)

Sparta Prague (CZE)

Aston Villa (ENG)

Sturm Graz (AUT)

Bologna (ITA)

Brest (FRA)

Girona (ESP)

VfB Stuttgart (GER)

When are the 2024/25 Champions League league phase matches?

Matchday 1: 17–19 September 2024

Matchday 2: 1/2 October 2024

Matchday 3: 22/23 October 2024

Matchday 4: 5/6 November 2024

Matchday 5: 26/27 November 2024

Matchday 6: 10/11 December 2024

Matchday 7: 21/22 January 2025

Matchday 8: 29 January 2025

Champions League top ten goals of 2023/24

When is the 2024/25 Champions League knockout phase?

Knockout phase play-offs: 11/12 & 18/19 February 2025

Round of 16: 4/5 & 11/12 March 2025

Quarter-finals: 8/9 & 15/16 April 2025

Semi-finals: 29/30 April & 6/7 May 2025

Final: 31 May 2025

When are the 2024/25 Champions League draws?

First qualifying round: 18 June 2024

Second qualifying round: 19 June 2024

Third qualifying round: 22 July 2024

Play-offs: 5 August 2024

League phase: 29 August 2024

Knockout phase play-offs: 31 January 2025

Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final: 21 February 2025

Where is the Champions League final in 2025?

The 2024/25 Champions League season concludes at Fußball Arena München, the highlight of European football’s club calendar returning to the home of German powerhouses Bayern for the first time since 2012.

The 2024/25 winners also gain a place in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.