New Champions League format explained and what is means for Liverpool under Arne Slot next season

Liverpool will be one of four clubs to represent the Premier League in next season's Champions League.

The Reds will return to the competition next season after playing in the Europa League this season. Between 2018 and 2022 the Anfield club contested three finals - against Real Madrid, Tottenham, and Los Blancos again - lifting the trophy for the first time in 14 years at the second attempt.

The next time Liverpool play in the Champions League it will look a bit different. Here, Liverpool Echo has examined the revamped competition and its potential impact on Premier League clubs.

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A new-look group stage

As usual, some clubs will have to navigate three qualifying rounds and a play-off round in July and August to secure a spot in the competition. However, instead of the familiar four-team group stage awaiting them, there will be a single league stage featuring 36 teams.

Each team will play eight different opponents once, with four matches at home and four away. The top eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th will compete in knockout round play-offs.

The winners of these two-legged ties will progress to the last 16. Teams finishing 25th or lower will be eliminated from the tournament, with no chance of a Europa League lifeline.

The knockout stages remain the same

From the last 16 onwards, the competition will follow a straight knockout format with two-legged ties, as has been the case in the past. The final is set to take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on May 31, 2025.

When will the games be played?

The Champions League and Europa League will run their league phases from September to January, while the Conference League will operate from September to December. Each of the three UEFA club competitions will have one exclusive match week during the season, with no other competitions scheduled for that week.

Champions League matches will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while the Europa League and Conference League will host games on Thursdays. However, during the newly-introduced exclusive match weeks, the Champions League will be played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Europa League on Wednesday and Thursday, and the Conference League only on Thursday.

The final matchday in each competition will see all its matches kick off simultaneously.

Key dates to remember

The draw for the revamped league stage will take place on August 29, 2024, with match rounds scheduled from September to January.

Matchday 1 – September 17 to 19, 2024

Matchday 2 – October 1 and October 2, 2024

Matchday 3 – October 22 and October 23, 2024

Matchday 4 – November 5 and November 6, 2024

Matchday 5 – November 26 and November 27, 2024

Matchday 6 – December 10 and December 11, 2024

Matchday 7 – January 21 and January 22, 2025

Matchday 8 – January 29, 2025

The draw for the knockout round play-offs, involving clubs ranked ninth to 24th, will be held on January 31, 2025. The two legs of this round are scheduled for February 11/12 and February 18/19, 2025.

The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals will then occur on February 21, 2025. Those games will be played on March 4/5 and March 11/12, 2025. The quarter-finals are slated for April 8/9 and April 15/16, 2025.

The semi-finals will take place on April 29/30 and May 6/7, 2025. The final match is scheduled for May 31, 2025. However, UEFA has stated that these dates are subject to change.

Prizes

The winners of the 2024/25 Champions League will secure a spot in the league stage of the 2025/26 competition if they haven't already done so through their domestic league position. With several Premier League teams competing for a top-four spot, success in this tournament is crucial.

There will also be lucrative money on offer for progressing through the tournament, as well as bonuses for each league-stage victory. UEFA's broadcast pool is also extremely financially rewarding for teams.