The Champions League is set to make its return, but this time with a major twist. UEFA has revamped its premier competition, replacing the traditional group stage with a new league format. This season, 36 teams will compete in a single league table, aiming to accumulate points and qualify for the knockout rounds.
Each team will play against eight different opponents, making every match crucial in the quest for European glory. As excitement builds, the much-anticipated draw will determine the matchups for the new format’s inaugural season. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the Champions League draw and what to expect from the changes.
When is the Champions League Draw?
The Champions League draw is scheduled for today, Thursday, August 29. The lineup of 36 teams was finalized following the last of the qualifier play-offs on Wednesday evening, setting the stage for the draw.
What Time is the Champions League Draw?
For viewers in the UK, the draw will start at 5:00 PM BST. It will be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, a familiar venue for this prestigious event.
How to Watch the Champions League Draw
Football fans can catch the draw live on TNT Sports, which holds the broadcasting rights for European competitions this season. For those who prefer online streaming, the event will also be available on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel, UEFA.com, and the BBC Sport website, which has secured rights for a new Champions League highlights show.
Who is in the Champions League Draw?
This season’s draw features 29 automatic qualifiers, including last season’s Premier League top four: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. From La Liga, the draw includes heavyweights like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, and Atletico Madrid.
Germany and Italy have both earned an extra spot this year. The Bundesliga will be represented by Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Stuttgart. Meanwhile, Serie A sends Inter Milan, AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, and Juventus.
Ligue 1 has three representatives: PSG, Monaco, and Brest, while Celtic stands as Scotland’s sole participant. Seven additional teams have made it through the play-offs, rounding out the 36-team field.
How Does the Champions League Draw Work?
The draw process has been adapted to fit the new league format. Instead of the usual hand-drawn balls, dedicated software will randomly determine the matchups. The 36 teams will be divided into four pots, with each team set to play two opponents from each pot, either at home or away.
To maintain diversity in matchups, teams from the same league will not face each other in this stage. Additionally, no team will play more than two opponents from any one country. Once the league phase concludes, the top eight teams will automatically advance to the round of 16.
Teams that finish between ninth and 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off round to secure their spots in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, teams finishing 25th and below will be eliminated from European competition entirely.
With these significant changes, the Champions League is set for a thrilling new chapter. Fans can look forward to a season of fresh matchups and intense competition as Europe’s best clubs battle for the prestigious title. Don’t miss the draw to see how the path to glory is mapped out!
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