UEFA Champions League changes: 36 teams, top clubs facing each other earlier in the competition and fast-changing, unpredictable standings

The UEFA Champions League format is set to see a re-jig, with hints of the Super League as well as the second division English Championship’s knockout playoffs added to the group stage format of the top tier European club competition. This is on top of the change in format that began earlier where the away goal advantage was removed for the knockout stages.

The biggest change that UEFA have made is to turn the group stage into a 36-team league competition, instead of 32 earlier. A team will play eight matches against eight teams, four home and four away where the top eight teams directly qualify to the Round-of-16. Then the teams ranked from ninth to 24th, will take part in knockout style playoff games.

The best eight from here join the top eight teams in the Round-of-16 stage. Teams ranked 17th to 24th will be eliminated from all competition at this stage. Losers of the knockout style playoff games will also be eliminated with no place in the UEFA Europa League.

The format was unanimously agreed upon by all European stakeholders, according to UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin.

“I am really pleased that it was a unanimous decision of the UEFA Executive Committee, with the European Club Association, European Leagues and national associations all agreeing with the proposal made. Another proof that European football is more united than ever.”

In order to find out which team faces who, all teams are set to be ranked in four seeding pots. A team that is drawn will then play two opponents from each pot with one match being played at home and one played on the road for a total of eight ‘league’ games.

Firstly, top clubs face each other earlier in the competition and every result right up until the final day of the group