More money, new mode: This is how the new Champions League works

A wild ride looms
Everything new, everything confusing? This is how the Champions League works

17.09.2024, 06:21

The new Champions League season begins this Tuesday – and from a German perspective, it’s going to be exciting. In the evening, FC Bayern Munich will kick off at home against Dinamo Zagreb and VfB Stuttgart will face defending champions Real Madrid. Fans and clubs will have to adapt to a different format than they have been used to in recent years. The premier class has been worked on and shaped time and again since its introduction in 1992, but it has never been reformed as fundamentally as this season. It’s complicated. Here are answers to the most important questions before the first matchday in Europe’s premier football class.

What does the new mode look like?

Instead of a group phase, the Champions League now has a league phase. Each of the 36 clubs – previously there were 32 – plays four times in their own stadium and four times away. The top eight teams in the table at the end of the league phase qualify directly for the round of 16. The clubs in positions 9 to 24 play in a new knockout round to advance. There is no longer a second chance in the European Cup with relegation to the Europa League – whoever is knocked out is really out for the season. From the round of 16 onwards, the premier class runs as usual, with knockout rounds with home and away matches – until the final on May 31 in Munich.

Who are the favorites?

The favorites are the usual suspects. The bookmakers initially name Manchester City with coach Pep Guardiola and record champions Real Madrid. In the first season after Toni Kroos’ retirement, the Madrilenians are trying to win the Champions League, or the former European Cup, for the 16th time. Among the favorites is FC Bayern Munich, who last won the competition in 2020 under coach Hansi Flick. Speaking of Flick – the 59-year-old will lead FC Barcelona back to the top after a few disappointing seasons on the European stage. Arsenal FC with national player Kai Havertz is also expected to do well. For the London club, it would be the first title in the premier class.

What are the prospects of the other German representatives?

Borussia Dortmund can hope to be one of the top eight teams and make it straight to the round of 16. For VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig it is more a question of making it into the top 24 in the table. Since this is the first season in the new format, there is no experience to know roughly how many points the clubs need to achieve this. Regardless of this, BVB’s march through to the final – as in the last Champions League season – would be another sensation. With Real and Barcelona, ​​Borussia may have two absolute heavyweights as opponents, but otherwise Dortmund have faced manageable opponents. Stuttgart, Leverkusen and Leipzig can also look forward to several top opponents. Compared to Dortmund, the three teams are likely to face a tougher schedule in terms of their names. However, at least 24th place and thus a place in the intermediate round should be possible for all German representatives.

How much money will be distributed?

The European Football Union UEFA is expecting a significant increase in revenue after the reform. The clubs participating in the Champions League and the Supercup are set to receive 2.47 billion euros. Critics fear that the large amount of money for the top class clubs will lead to a further significant distortion of competition in the national leagues. For participating in the league phase alone, each club will receive around 18.62 million euros, each win will bring 2.1 million euros, and each draw 700,000 euros. At the end of the league phase, the clubs will receive more money – how much depends on their placement. In the knockout phase, the teams can expect further income depending on their success. The clubs also receive money from UEFA, for example, through the sale of media rights.

What’s new from a fan’s perspective?

UEFA has decided to reduce the maximum price for away tickets in European cup competitions. For the premier class, this means that away fans will only pay a maximum of 60 euros for a ticket instead of the previous 70 euros. In the 2025/2026 Champions League season, the maximum ticket price for away fans will be 50 euros, according to UEFA. The decision was made after “extensive consultations” with the European club association ECA and the European fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE). In the past, high ticket prices for away fans at some games had caused discussions.

Where will the Champions League games be broadcast?

The streaming services DAZN and Amazon Prime Video show the Champions League matches. Football fans therefore need two subscriptions to be able to watch all of the premier class’s matches live. While Amazon customers can watch the top match every Tuesday during the league phase, all other matches can be seen on DAZN. DAZN also broadcasts the conferences – but without the top match on Tuesday.

What is in store for Thomas Müller in this special season?

Thomas Müller is FC Bayern’s record player. And the 35-year-old will make plenty of appearances this season. The 35-year-old can still make a huge leap in the Champions League: Müller has been playing for the Bundesliga club in the premier class since the 2008/09 season, and his 151 appearances mean fifth place in the all-time ranking of Champions League record players. If things go well for FC Bayern, Müller can overtake various icons in this ranking: Karim Benzema (152 appearances), Lionel Messi (163) and Iker Casillas (177) are within reach. Ideally, FC Bayern needs 16 games to reach the “Finale dahoam”, and the crowning glory could be in the 17th. Thomas Müller, this Champions League titan, could then collect his third title after 2013 and 2020. However, he cannot dethrone record player Ronaldo (182 appearances) even if FC Bayern unexpectedly had to take the detour via the playoffs. But then again next year…