The UEFA Champions League: A Grand Stage Returns
All eyes are on the UEFA Champions League once again as the 2024/25 competition kicks off its Matchday 5. Last season, Real Madrid extended their record haul to 15 titles by defeating Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley, marking the last tournament under the old format. This year, the competition features a new format, with 36 teams entering the initial "league phase." These teams include 29 automatic qualifiers and seven clubs that emerged from the qualifying rounds. The competition will run from mid-September until the final in May, with four Premier League sides, including Aston Villa, and five teams each from the Bundesliga and Serie A vying for glory. The Sporting News provides all the key details on the schedule for the 2024/25 Champions League, which can be watched with a FREE trial of Paramount+ in the USA and on Stan Sport in Australia.
New Format, Extended Leagues, and Exciting Matchdays
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League introduces a new format known as the "league phase," which will last longer than the previous group stage. Matchday One begins on September 18, and the final Matchday Eight is scheduled for January 29, 2025. The playoff round for the knockout phase is set for mid-February, with the knockouts running through March, April, and May. The final match will be held on May 31, 2025, at Munich’s Allianz Arena. This extended schedule ensures that fans will have more opportunities to witness the excitement of top-tier football throughout the season.
Key Fixtures and Results
The knockout playoff round begins with a series of thrilling matches. On February 11, PSG will face Brest at Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp, while Juventus will take on PSV at Allianz Stadium in Turin. Real Madrid and Manchester City will clash at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, and Borussia Dortmund will meet Sporting at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon. The second leg of these matches will take place on February 18 and 19, with other high-profile fixtures including AC Milan vs. Feyenoord, Atalanta vs. Club Brugge, and Real Madrid vs. Man City.
The league phase has already seen some remarkable results. On September 18, Sparta Prague defeated Salzburg 3-0, while Manchester City and Inter Milan played to a 0-0 draw. Paris Saint-Germain managed a narrow 1-0 win over Girona, and Borussia Dortmund thrashed Celtic 7-1. As the season progresses, these teams will continue to engage in fierce battles, with many more exciting fixtures to come.
Teams in the 2024/25 Champions League
The 2024/25 Champions League features 36 teams, divided into four seeding pots. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain are among the top seeds, while other notable teams include Liverpool, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona. Each team has been drawn to face one opponent from each pot, ensuring a high level of competition from the outset. For instance, Real Madrid will face DOR, LFC, MIL, and ATAS, while Manchester City will play against INT, PSG, BRU, JUV, and FEY. The draw sets the stage for a season of intense football, with clubs from across Europe vying for supremacy.
How to Watch and Access Tickets
For fans around the world, the UEFA Champions League can be watched on various platforms. In the USA, a FREE trial of Paramount+ is available, while Australian fans can tune in on Stan Sport. Once the dates and times for the fixtures are confirmed, the ticket process will begin. However, tickets for European matches cannot be purchased directly from UEFA. Instead, the participating clubs will handle the primary ticket sales, making it easier for fans to access tickets just as they would for other matches. For those unable to secure tickets through primary sales, secondary market platforms like StubHub International offer a reliable option to catch the action live.
Anticipation Builds for the 2024/25 Champions League
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League promises to be a season of high drama and intense competition. With a new format and a lineup of top-tier teams, fans can expect a series of thrilling matches from the league phase through to the final. As the competition unfolds, the world will be watching, eager to see which team will emerge victorious and etch their name into the annals of football history. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the UEFA Champions League is set to deliver a season of unforgettable moments.
