UEFA prepares a key change in the format of the 2025/26 Champions League

The 2024/25 edition of the UEFA Champions League came to an end with a special flavor, as it was the first under a completely renovated format. The traditional group stage was left behind —where each club faced three rivals in home and away matches— to give way to a league in which each team played eight matches: four at home and four away.

The top eight in the general table advanced directly to the round of 16, while those classified from 9th to 24th had to play a 'playoffs' round to earn one of the eight remaining spots to access that phase. From there, the tournament was developed as always: round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Related

Barça waits for rivals in the Champions League 25/26: this is how the pots are

This new format, although novel, seems to have been a success, as it allowed greater parity in the competition. Proof of this is that the champion, Paris Saint-Germain, was not one of the best in the league stage.

They qualified for the 'playoffs' as fifteenth, but managed to overcome and advance facing a tough road: first they eliminated Stade Brestois (10-0), then Liverpool (1-1, 1-4 on penalties) in the round of 16, Aston Villa (5-4) in the quarter-finals, Arsenal in 'semis' and, finally, Inter Milan in the grand final, where they won with a resounding 5-0.

UEFA plans changes in the venues of the 2025/26 Champions League

However, despite the relative success of the new format, UEFA would already be considering some adjustments. According to the Argentine media TyC Sports, the governing body of European football would be considering modifying the criteria with which the venues are defined in the direct elimination crosses, with the aim of giving a fairer turn to that part of the tournament.

It must be remembered that in this 2024/25 edition, when the round of 16 matches closed, the keys were drawn without taking into account the previous performance of the teams in the league. This caused a curious situation: combinations with a worse general classification obtained the advantage of closing the series at home, which could be interpreted as a competitive disadvantage for those who did finish better positioned.

For example, in the 'semis', both Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan —the two finalists— had the opportunity to play the second leg at home, despite the fact that their rivals, Arsenal and FC Barcelona, finished in better places in the general table. The 'Gunners' were third, and Barça, second.

Related

Unbelievable! The top qualifiers of the Champions lose home advantage from the quarter-finals

In this sense, as the aforementioned media points out, UEFA would be studying a proposal to reward the teams best positioned in the league, granting them the right to define as locals all the qualifiers they play. An advantage that, in such even crosses, can be decisive.

Aleksander Čeferin would have already given the green light to the reform

It is even said that the idea already has the approval of the president of the organization, Aleksander Čeferin, although it has not yet been officially included in the regulations for the next season. For now, we can only wait to see if this measure will finally be approved.

The decision is expected for August 28, the day on which the league stage draw will be held. If the change is confirmed, it would be announced at that time. Should the best classified teams have this advantage? At first glance, it seems like a fair measure. However, it is not an imminent reality... but the debate is already on the table.