Here is everything we know so far about what our return to Europe’s premier club competition currently looks like:

 

Following the conclusion of many of the European leagues over the past couple of weeks, the picture as to who might face in the group stage of the competition is becoming a little clearer, especially with the preliminary rounds already kicking off at the end of this month.

Here is everything we know so far about what our return to Europe’s premier club competition currently looks like:

The Champions League is entering its final season in its usual format of 32 teams, split into eight groups of four who play each other home and away. The two group winners advance into the round of 16, with the winners seeded and runners-up unseeded. The third-placed team enter the Europa League play-off round, while the team who finishes bottom of the group is eliminated from European competition entirelyThe 2024/25 edition however will see an increase in teams to 36, who will compete in a single league. Each team will play eight matches against eight different teams, four at home and four away. 

The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path into the last 16.