Champions League 2024/25: New Format, Key Dates and Munich Finale

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League is set to be a landmark season, marking the 70th edition of Europe's premier club competition and the first under a revolutionary new format. The tournament kicked off on July 9, 2024 and will culminate in a grand finale at Munich's Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025.

New Format Explained

This season introduces a significant change to the group stage, transforming it into a single 36-team league phase. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents—four at home and four away. The top eight teams will advance directly to the Round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and 24th will compete in knockout round play-offs for a spot in the last 16.

Key Dates to Remember

The league phase matches are scheduled as follows:

- Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024

- Matchday 2: October 1-2, 2024

- Matchday 3: October 22-23, 2024

- Matchday 4: November 5-6, 2024

- Matchday 5: November 26-27, 2024

- Matchday 6: December 10-11, 2024

- Matchday 7: January 21-22, 2025

- Matchday 8: January 29, 2025

The knockout stages will follow:

- Knockout Round Play-offs: February 11-12 & 18-19, 2025

- Round of 16: March 4-5 & 11-12, 2025

- Quarter-finals: April 8-9 & 15-16, 2025

- Semi-finals: April 29-30 & May 6-7, 2025

- Final: May 31, 2025

The Grand Finale in Munich

The Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, will host the final match. This will be the fifth time Munich has hosted the final and the second time at the Allianz Arena, following the 2012 final. The stadium, located on Werner-Heisenberg-Allee, is home to Bayern München and has a capacity of 67,000 for UEFA events.

Draw Details

The draw for the league phase took place on August 29, 2024, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Fans can catch all the action live on the SonyLIV app and website.

What’s at Stake?

The winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League will not only lift the prestigious trophy but also secure a place in the league stage of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. They will also earn the right to compete against the winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup.

As UEFA stated, "There's plenty to get excited about as the top teams in Europe fight for a place in the final in Munich on May 31, 2025."

For more details, visit UEFA.com and stay tuned for updates as the competition progresses.