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

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2024

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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.

EPL: Why I Won’t Stay One More Year At Man Utd – Casemiro

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

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Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has explained why he won’t stay one more year at the club.

The 34-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the current season.

The Brazilian, however, had been urged by the club’s fans to extend his contract by one more year due to his brilliant display for Michael Carrick’s side this term.

Speaking on the development, Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, “There is no chance [for me to stay one more year].

“It is leaving through the front door. It has been four wonderful years, and I am eternally grateful not only to the club but to the fans.

“I think it is over. The cycle has ended here. I am moving on to a new chapter in my career.”

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

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Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

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Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.