UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2024/25 season will be bigger and better. This season instead of 32 teams like before this time 36 teams will take part in the most prestigious club football tournament. UCL group stage ceases to exist, and instead, teams tussle in a partial reproduction of the Swiss model often seen in chess tournaments. The format has been used previously in the CONCACAF Nations League qualifying competition.
The 36 teams will drawn into four pots of nine teams. Each side faces two teams from each pot, one at home and one away. The top eight clubs advance directly to the RO16. The teams ranked ninth through 24th will have to compete in play-off matches, with eight teams joining the top eight. The teams from 17th to 24th after the playoffs will be eliminated from the competition with no inclusion in the UEFA Europa League like it was to be.
Where will the UCL draw ceremony take place?
The draw will be taking place in Monaco. It would kickstart the ball rolling for the season of intrigue, and potentially mouthwatering encounters. It will be taking place at the Grimaldi Forum. After the draw, the tournament will make its way on September 17th.
What changes will be there in the format of the draw?
Previously the draw used to take place manually. The names were picked from glass bowls by the former footballers and people from UEFA management picked the name. It will be replaced this time with the computer will decide the draw. An automatic software built in the UK will select eight teams at random, which will be displayed on the screen.
It will also set the home and away fixtures. The draw will begin with Pot 1, which contains the reigning champions and the biggest clubs. Fearing cyber dangers, the UEFA has increased security. They have deployed two backup software systems and will be audited by accounting firm Ernst and Young.
Two clubs from the same domestic league cannot face each other in the initial draw, and each club can only face two teams from the same country. It gives chances for intriguing games between some of the best clubs. Manchester City, for example, might face Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. But Madrid will not face Barcelona being playing in the same league.
When and where to watch the UCL draw ceremony?
The UEFA Champions League draw will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network on television and live-streamed on the Sony LIV app. This season, Sony Sports will broadcast all Champions League matches on TV and its OTT platform. The draw will start from 9:30 PM according to the Indian Standard Time (IST).
The fans gear up to watch their favourite team once again in the biggest club competition. As it gets more exciting and intriguing than ever before. All eyes will be on the Sony Television network on Thursday night.
