FULL LIST: 36 Teams Battle For 2024/25 UCL Season With New Format

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024/25 season concluded on Thursday evening, unveiling the matchups for Europe’s top football clubs.

With the draw now set, all eyes turn to the grand finale at Munich’s iconic Fußball Arena München on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The much-anticipated league phase draw took place in Monaco on Thursday, August 29.

In March 2024, The PUNCH provided an explainer on the new Champions League format.

A star-studded cast of Champions League legends, including Gianluigi Buffon and Zlatan Ibrahimović, welcome the beginning of a new era for Europe’s premier club competition.

New UCL format explained

In the upcoming format, 36 teams will compete instead of the usual 32, playing in a single league with four pots, eight in each. The top two in each gets automatic qualification.

Each team will face eight opponents, with 4 matches at home and 4 away, but they won’t play the same team twice.

After the league phase, the top 8 teams will automatically advance to the round of 16.

The bottom 8 teams will be eliminated, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round.

This playoff will determine the remaining 8 spots in the knockout phase. The 16 teams in the knockout stage will compete, with 8 advancing to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and finals.

Here is the full 2024/25 UCL draw in image breakdown:

Ronaldo, Buffon, and UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti conducted the draw.

The time for the fixtures will be announced Saturday.

SWAN Kicks Off 60th Anniversary/Awards With Religious Services

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to hold its 60th anniversary with Jumat Prayer and Thanksgiving on Friday October 24, 2025.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary said the special prayer and thanksgiving will be held in all the state chapters and FCT at the venues which would be determined by the leadership of the various chapters.

According to the statement, the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the full council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, zonal vice presidents and secretaries and state chairmen and secretaries.

The committee, while inviting “government functionaries, lovers of sports, members of the association and the general public to join SWAN members at the services to thank God for a successful 60-year journey,” added: “All activities at the event will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja between Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.”

“It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively pray for protection of members, better sports fortuneNigeria’s sports men and women and a more prosperous sports sector,” it said.

Sports

EPL: Trossard Strike As Arsenal Beat Fulham 1-0

Published

1 week ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Arsenal edged past Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage, climbing three points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The result marked another composed and professional display from Mikel Arteta’s side, who continue to show their title credentials.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Leandro Trossard calmly finished after a clever set-piece routine.

Bukayo Saka delivered a dangerous corner that was flicked on by Gabriel, setting up Trossard to slot home the winner.

Arteta’s side dominated possession throughout, limiting Fulham to very few chances in front of goal.

The hosts struggled to create any real threat, with Arsenal’s defence staying compact and composed.

With the victory, Arsenal overtake Manchester City to sit three points clear at the summit after another disciplined away performance.

More to follow…

Sports

EPL: Nottingham Forest Sacks Postecoglou After 3-0 Defeat To Chelsea

Published

1 week ago

October 18, 2025

Editor

Nottingham Forest have sacked Ange Postecoglou barely minutes after their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

A statement from the Premier league club, released 20 minutes after full-time at the City Ground, reads: “Nottingham Forest Football Club can confirm that after a series of disappointing results and performances, Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.

“The club will make no further comment at this time.”

Postecoglou was in charge for eight games and six of those ended in defeat.

It included an early Carabao Cup exit at Championship club Swansea City, when Forest led 2-1 in the 92nd minute before conceding two in four minutes to lose 3-2.

The other two games – away at Burnley (Premier League) and Real Betis (Europa League) ended in draws.