Champions League qualification from Premier League: How it works from 2024/25
The capitalists at UEFA decided in 2022 that they simply weren't making enough money.
Gluttony and greed have long been features of the sport we adore, especially in the 21st century, and UEFA's hypocrisy regarding their outrage at the potential establishment of a breakaway Super League couldn't have been any clearer when their plans for a revamped Champions League were published.
And thus, the Champions League will switch to a 36-team tournament starting from the 2024/25 season, with the format changing drastically from the current iteration.
Here's a reminder of how the competition will look.
What is the new Champions League format?
Well, instead of 32 teams being drawn into eight groups of four, 36 teams will all be placed into one giant table. That's the 'Swiss model' for ya!
A total of 189 games will be played, up from 125, with two extra matchdays being required to ensure all the proposed fixtures are fulfilled. Teams will play eight games in the first phase, with all group stages fixtures being revealed before the start of the campaign.
The eight teams that accumulate the most points in the group stage will automatically advance into the round of 16, with those that finish between ninth and 24th competing in two-legged playoffs. The winners of those ties will progress into the last 16 through as unseeded teams.
The traditional knockout format will then determine the victor.
Why is there a new Champions League format?
Top teams around Europe are keen to bring in more broadcasting revenue. That means many sides want to create more 'meaningful' games against close rivals, and the new format increases the likelihood of high profile clashes in the Champions League.
European giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have all spoken about the need for a greater share of the pie when it comes to broadcasting deals, with most of Europe lagging behind the Premier League's lucrative TV deals.
However, some critics say the new system isn't meritocratic and practically assures top sides of Champions League football, while the proposed increased schedule has also gone down poorly with professionals who are already playing more football than ever before.
How many Premier League teams could qualify for the Champions League from 2024/25?
Right now, a maximum of five Premier League teams can qualify for the Champions League, and that isn't expected to change despite the competition expanding to 36 teams.
Two of the extra spots are reserved for the two countries with the highest coefficient score in that season. England currently sits atop UEFA's ranking, so an extra Premier League team would qualify for the Champions League.
Barring a drastic switch in fortunes, it's likely the Premier League will garner one of these extra spots, meaning those that finish in the top five will all qualify for Europe's premier club competition starting from the 2024/25 season.