All eyes will return to the UEFA Champions League in the coming weeks following the draw for the 2024/25 competition which begins September 17.
Real Madrid extended their record haul to 15 titles last season by defeating Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley in what was the last tournament under the old format.
For 2024/25, a total of 36 teams entered the draw for the initial stage — now known as the “league phase”. They comprise 29 automatic qualifiers and the seven clubs that emerged from the qualifying rounds. The competition schedule will run from mid-September until the final next May.
Four Premier League sides will be competing this season, including Aston Villa, while there are five teams each from the Bundesliga and Serie A.
The Sporting News has all the key details on the schedule for the 2024/25 Champions League.
UEFA Champions League schedule 2024-25
League Phase:
- Matchday One: Sept. 17-19, 2024
- Matchday Two: Oct. 1-2, 2024
- Matchday Three: Oct. 22-23, 2024
- Matchday Four: Nov. 5-6, 2024
- Matchday Five: Nov. 26-27, 2024
- Matchday Six: Dec. 10-11, 2024
- Matchday Seven: Jan. 21-22, 2025
- Matchday Eight: Jan. 29, 2025
Knockout phase:
- Knockout-round playoffs: Feb. 11-12 & Feb. 18-19, 2025
- Round of 16: TBC
- Quarterfinals: TBC
- Semifinals: TBC
- Final: May 31, 2025
The new format to the Champions League means the first phase, now known as the “league phase”, will last a little longer than the previous group stage. Matchday One begins on September 17, and the final Matchday Eight will not take place until January 29, 2025.
The playoff round for the knockout phase is in mid-February, with the remainder of the elimination stages taking place across March, April, and May.
The 2024/25 Champions League final will be held on May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Reported by Sporting News
