Champions League 2024/25 phase match schedule
- The 2024/25 Champions League has a new format
- The former "group stage" is now the "league phase"
- The Champions League draw takes place on Thursday, Aug. 29
The 2024/25 Champions League kicks off in less than a month with a new format, more teams, and an action-packed league phase match schedule.
Every year, the best clubs in Europe compete in the Champions League to see which team is the best on the continent (and in the world). The competition typically consists of 32 qualified clubs that must perform well in the group stage to advance to the knockout rounds and ideally, make it all the way to the final.
The 2024/25 Champions League, though, features a few key changes to the tournament. Now, there will be 36 teams competing in the new league phase, formally coined the group stage. The single league competition, featuring eight matches instead of six, will offer a wider range of opponents and competition ahead of the knockout stage.
Here's a breakdown of the new format, as well as the match schedule for the league phase coming in just a few weeks.
Champions League 2024/25 phase match schedule
Here's the full breakdown of the Champions League 2024/25 phase match schedule:
- Matchday 1: Sept. 17-19, 2024
- Matchday 2: Oct. 1-2, 2024
- Matchday 3: Oct. 22-23, 2024
- Matchday 4: Nov. 5-6, 2024
- Matchday 5: Nov. 26-27, 2024
- Matchday 6: Dec. 10-11, 2024
- Matchday 7: Jan. 21-22, 2024
- Matchday 8: Jan. 29, 2024
Unlike previous years, teams will now play eight different teams throughout the new league phase as opposed to playing three opponents twice.
The matches will unfold throughout the fall and conclude in the new year before the knockout stage kicks off in February.
Champions League 2024/25 play-off schedule
The league phase cannot start until the Champions League play-offs determine the remaining teams participating in Europe's biggest competition.
The play-off schedule is as follows:
- First leg: Aug. 20-21, 2024
- Second leg: Aug. 27-28, 2024
Only once all 36 teams are decided will the draw for the Champions League league phase commence on Thursday, Aug. 29.
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