UEFA Reveals New Champions League Format

UEFA has introduced a revamped Champions League format, transitioning from a traditional group stage to a league phase involving 36 teams, where each team will play eight matches—four at home and four away. In this new setup, Real Madrid is set to face Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, while Manchester City and Arsenal will compete against Paris Saint-Germain. The draw, which took place in Monaco with notable figures like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, highlighted the competitive nature of the new format, with teams needing to secure a top-eight finish to qualify for the knockout stage. The league phase begins on September 17-19, extending the competition timeline to January 29, which increases the total number of matches from 125 to 189. This year's tournament promises more action and intensified matchups, with Liverpool looking to break their winless streak against Real Madrid. Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen also have challenging fixtures ahead, indicating a highly competitive season.