The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League heralds its 70th edition, marking the 33rd iteration since the competition was rechristened from the European Cup. This season debuts a novel format, with action commencing on July 9, 2024, and culminating in a grand finale in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Please be aware that dates may be subject to modification.
A fundamental transformation is taking place with the group stage. The previous format has been superseded by a single, expansive league phase featuring 36 teams. Each club will encounter eight different adversaries—four at home and four away. The top eight teams in this league phase will advance straight to the Round of 16. Teams finishing from ninth to twenty-fourth will enter a knockout phase play-off, with the winners earning their places in the Round of 16. The competition then proceeds in a straightforward knockout format.
League Phase Draw Results
A total of twenty-five teams secured their spots automatically through their domestic league standings. Additionally, the reigning Champions League and UEFA Europa League victors were guaranteed berths. Adjustments were necessary as these titleholders had also qualified through their domestic achievements.
The remaining two spots were allocated to the European Performance Spots, with the final seven slots determined via qualifying rounds.
Domestic Qualifiers:
- England: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa
- Spain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Atlético de Madrid
- Germany: Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig
- Italy: Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta
- France: Paris Saint-Germain, AS Monaco, Stade Brestois
- Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
- Portugal: Sporting CP
- Belgium: Club Brugge
- Scotland: Celtic
- Austria: Sturm Graz
European Performance Spots:
- Bologna (ITA)
- Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Champions League Winner Rebalancing:
- Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Europa League Winner Rebalancing:
- Benfica (POR)
Qualifying Rounds Recap
How Did the 2024/25 Champions League Qualifying Unfold?
A fierce battle among fifty-two teams determined the final seven league phase spots, culminating in August’s play-offs. Teams, including forty-two domestic champions, entered the fray based on their association club coefficient rankings. All ties were contested over two legs.
Play-off Victors:
- Crvena Zvezda (SRB) defeated Bodø/Glimt 3-2 on aggregate.
- GNK Dinamo (CRO) triumphed over Qarabağ 5-0 on aggregate.
- Lille (FRA) overcame Slavia Praha 3-2 on aggregate.
- Salzburg (AUT) bested Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 on aggregate.
- Slovan Bratislava (SVK) edged Midtjylland 4-3 on aggregate.
- Sparta Praha (CZE) outclassed Malmö 4-0 on aggregate.
- Young Boys (SUI) prevailed over Galatasaray 4-2 on aggregate.
Qualifying Dates:
- First Qualifying Round: July 9/10 & 16/17, 2024
- Second Qualifying Round: July 23/24 & 30/31, 2024
- Third Qualifying Round: August 6/7 & 13, 2024
- Play-offs: August 20/21 & 27/28, 2024
League Phase Schedule
When Are the 2024/25 Champions League League Phase Matches?
- Matchday 1: September 17–19, 2024
- Matchday 2: October 1/2, 2024
- Matchday 3: October 22/23, 2024
- Matchday 4: November 5/6, 2024
- Matchday 5: November 26/27, 2024
- Matchday 6: December 10/11, 2024
- Matchday 7: January 21/22, 2025
- Matchday 8: January 29, 2025
Knockout Phase Schedule
When Does the 2024/25 Champions League Knockout Phase Commence?
- Knockout Phase Play-offs: February 11/12 & 18/19, 2025
- Round of 16: March 4/5 & 11/12, 2025
- Quarter-finals: April 8/9 & 15/16, 2025
- Semi-finals: April 29/30 & May 6/7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025
When Are the 2024/25 Champions League Draws?
- First Qualifying Round: June 18, 2024
- Second Qualifying Round: June 19, 2024
- Third Qualifying Round: July 22, 2024
- Play-offs: August 5, 2024
- League Phase: August 29, 2024
- Knockout Phase Play-offs: January 31, 2025
- Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final, and Final: February 21, 2025
The Final Destination
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will reach its zenith at the Fußball Arena München, a venue synonymous with football grandeur, returning to its illustrious home in Germany for the first time since 2012. The champions of this season will also secure a berth in the 2025/26 Champions League league phase, provided they have not qualified through their domestic leagues.