The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024/25 season has set the stage for a thrilling competition, with a brand-new format that promises more action and excitement.

This year marks the beginning of a new era for European football, with the introduction of a league phase that will replace the traditional group stage. Fans and teams alike are eager to see how this new structure will impact the dynamics of the tournament.

The UEFA Champions League is back, and this season, it brings with it a brand-new format that is set to revolutionize the competition.

The 2024/25 season will feature a 36-team league phase, replacing the previous group stage format. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents.

With top clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Bayern Munich all set to compete, the stage is set for a season of unforgettable football moments.

1. How Teams Will Qualify: UEFA Champions League Knock Out Stages:How it Works in 24/25

The new Champions League format for the 2024/25 season introduces significant changes to how teams qualify for the knockout stages. Here’s a breakdown of the qualification process:

• 36 Teams Points Table:

 The league phase will consist of 36 teams competing in a single league format. Each team will play eight matches against eight different opponents, drawn from three different pots based on their UEFA coefficients.

• Top 8 Direct Qualification:

 At the end of the league phase, the top 8 teams on the points table will directly qualify for the Round of 16. This adds immense pressure to every match, as teams will strive to secure a spot in the top 8 to avoid the additional playoff round.

• Playoffs for 9th to 24th:

 Teams that finish in positions 9 through 24 will enter a playoff round. This two-legged playoff will determine which teams will fill the remaining eight spots in the Round of 16. This new playoff system ensures that even teams that do not finish in the top 8 still have a chance to progress further in the competition.

• Elimination for 25th to 36th:

 Teams finishing in the bottom 12 (positions 25th to 36th) will be directly eliminated from the competition. These teams will not have the opportunity to compete in the knockout stages, adding a high level of competition to avoid finishing in these positions.

Pot 1 Teams and Their Opponents

Barcelona’s Fixtures in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League

Home Fixtures for Barcelona

1. Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
   • Home
   • Overview: This is a high-profile match that reignites a fierce rivalry in European football. Bayern Munich has been a formidable opponent for Barcelona in recent years, and this game at Camp Nou is expected to be crucial for Barcelona’s ambitions in this season’s Champions League.
2. Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
   • Home
   • Overview: Borussia Dortmund’s visit to Camp Nou will test Barcelona’s defense against Dortmund’s aggressive and fast-paced attacking style. The Catalan club will look to leverage its home advantage to secure vital points.
3. Barcelona vs Atalanta
   • Home
   • Overview: Atalanta, known for their high-energy play and offensive tactics, will pose a challenging match for Barcelona. This fixture is expected to be a tactical battle with both teams striving for dominance.
4. Barcelona vs Young Boys
   • Home
   • Overview: Young Boys are considered one of the underdogs in the competition, but Barcelona cannot afford to take this match lightly. A win in this home game will be crucial for Barcelona’s standing in the group.

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Away Fixtures for Barcelona

1. Barcelona vs SL Benfica
   • Away
   • Overview: Traveling to Lisbon to face Benfica is always a tough task. Benfica has a strong European pedigree and will aim to use their home advantage to challenge Barcelona.
2. Barcelona vs Monaco
   • Away
   • Overview: This away match at Stade Louis II will test Barcelona against Monaco’s mix of youth and experience. The French side will look to make the most of their home conditions to trouble Barcelona.
3. Barcelona vs Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
   • Away
   • Overview: Known for its intense atmosphere, the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade is a fortress for Crvena Zvezda. Barcelona will need to be at their tactical best to navigate this tricky away fixture.
4. Barcelona vs Stade Brestois 29
   • Away
   • Overview: Barcelona’s trip to face Stade Brestois 29 is another match where they will aim to secure all three points. While considered a less challenging opponent, Barcelona must remain focused to avoid any surprises.

Real Madrid

• Home Matches: Borussia Dortmund, Milan, Salzburg, Stuttgart
• Away Matches: Liverpool, Atalanta, Lille, Brest

Real Madrid, always a favorite in the Champions League, faces a mix of familiar European powerhouses and tricky underdogs. The matches against Borussia Dortmund and Milan are particularly notable, promising high-stakes encounters.

Manchester City

• Home Matches: Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Feyenoord, Sparta Praha
• Away Matches: Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Sporting CP, Slovan Bratislava

As defending champions, Manchester City will have to navigate a tough set of fixtures, including a high-profile clash against Paris Saint-Germain and a challenging away match at Juventus.

Bayern Munich

• Home Matches: Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, GNK Dinamo, Slovan Bratislava
• Away Matches: Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord, Aston Villa

Bayern Munich’s campaign includes a significant matchup against Barcelona away from home, and home fixtures against PSG and Benfica that are sure to test their mettle.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Home Matches: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, PSV Eindhoven
• Away Matches: Inter Milan, Arsenal, Red Bull Salzburg, Girona

PSG faces a challenging draw, including home games against Manchester City and Bayern Munich, and a tough away fixture against Inter Milan.

3. Pot 2 Teams and Their Opponents

Liverpool

• Home Matches: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille
• Away Matches: Manchester City, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Bologna

Liverpool’s fixtures include a must-watch home match against Real Madrid and an away game against Manchester City that will likely be crucial in deciding their fate in the competition.

Inter Milan

• Home Matches: RB Leipzig, Manchester City, Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade
• Away Matches: Paris Saint-Germain, Bayer Leverkusen, Young Boys, Sparta Praha

Inter Milan’s draw includes several challenging fixtures, especially at home against Manchester City and away at Paris Saint-Germain.

Borussia Dortmund

• Home Matches: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Club Brugge
• Away Matches: Juventus, Celtic, GNK Dinamo, Bologna

Borussia Dortmund will be tested by top-tier opponents like Barcelona and Real Madrid, making their home matches critical to their campaign.

RB Leipzig

• Home Matches: Liverpool, Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven
• Away Matches: Arsenal, Juventus, Sporting CP, Sparta Praha

RB Leipzig’s draw is filled with difficult fixtures, including tough away trips to Juventus and Arsenal.

4. Pot 3 Teams and Their Opponents

Juventus

• Home Matches: Club Brugge, Sporting CP, Celtic, Aston Villa
• Away Matches: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta

Juventus will face a challenging path with a mix of well-established teams and tricky underdogs.

Atlético Madrid

• Home Matches: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Sporting CP, Celtic
• Away Matches: Paris Saint-Germain, Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, Red Bull Salzburg

Atlético Madrid has drawn some tough opponents, including Bayern Munich at home and Paris Saint-Germain away.

Bayer Leverkusen

• Home Matches: Milan, Arsenal, Lille, Bologna
• Away Matches: Liverpool, Inter Milan, Crvena Zvezda, Young Boys

Leverkusen’s draw features formidable opponents, making every match crucial for their progression.

Shakhtar Donetsk

• Home Matches: Benfica, GNK Dinamo, Celtic, Sturm Graz
• Away Matches: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Bologna

Shakhtar faces a difficult set of matches, including high-profile games against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

5. Pot 4 Teams and Their Opponents

Celtic

• Home Matches: Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Aston Villa, Sturm Graz
• Away Matches: Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Sporting CP, GNK Dinamo

Celtic’s draw includes a variety of opponents, with matches against Borussia Dortmund and Juventus being particularly noteworthy.

Aston Villa

• Home Matches: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP, Sturm Graz
• Away Matches: Juventus, Young Boys, Crvena Zvezda, Brest

Aston Villa’s return to the Champions League is marked by tough matches against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at home.

Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda)

• Home Matches: Inter Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Young Boys, Brest
• Away Matches: Arsenal, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, GNK Dinamo

Red Star Belgrade will face a challenging campaign with matches against Inter Milan and Juventus.

Young Boys

• Home Matches: Juventus, Crvena Zvezda, Leverkusen, Brest
• Away Matches: Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Atlético Madrid, Lille

Young Boys have a mix of fixtures, with away games against Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal being key to their success.

6. Key Fixtures to Watch

• Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund: A clash of European giants, this fixture will be crucial for both teams.
• Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain: A rematch of last season’s semifinal, this game will be a highlight of the league phase.
• Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: A historic rivalry renewed, this match is always a spectacle.
• Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund: Two teams with a lot to prove, this fixture could be decisive in their campaigns.

7. Where to Watch: Broadcasting the Action

The UEFA Champions League is broadcast globally, with different networks holding rights in various regions. Here’s how you can catch all the action:

• Europe: BT Sport, Sky Sports, and DAZN will broadcast the matches, providing comprehensive coverage of every game.
• United States: CBS Sports and Univision have the rights to broadcast the Champions League, with matches also available to stream on Paramount+.
• Asia: Sony Sports Network will cover the Champions League matches across Asia, ensuring fans do not miss out.
• Middle East and North Africa: beIN Sports will provide coverage, bringing all the action to football fans in this region.

8. Date, Timing, and Location: Key Details

The league phase of the UEFA Champions League begins on September 17, 2024, with matches scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM local time. Each participating club will host four home matches, providing plenty of opportunities for fans to see their teams in action.

The final, set to take place on May 28, 2025, will be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. This iconic venue has hosted numerous memorable matches and will be a fitting location for the climax of this new-format Champions League season.

Conclusion

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is set to be one of the most thrilling and unpredictable seasons in recent memory, thanks to the introduction of the new league phase format.

With a points table that determines who advances directly to the Round of 16, who enters the playoffs, and who is eliminated, every match counts more than ever.

From classic rivalries to fresh matchups, this season promises a feast of football that fans won’t want to miss. Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates, match reports, and in-depth analysis throughout this historic campaign.