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The UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw for the 2024/25 season is just around the corner, bringing with it some significant changes and intriguing matchups. With the competition’s new format, this season promises more excitement, complexity, and drama.
On top of that, Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the tournament’s most iconic players, will be honored with a special award. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming draw, including details on the new format, the dates to mark on your calendar, and the teams that have qualified.
When Is the Champions League Draw 2024
The Champions League Group Stage draw will take place on Thursday, 29th August 2024 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The event is scheduled to begin at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT). Football fans can watch the draw live on TNT Sports if they are in the UK or stream it directly from the UEFA website. City Xtra will provide live updates and reactions across their social media channels, including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
This draw marks the beginning of a new era in the Champions League, with an automated system deciding the matchups. Teams will face eight different opponents, with the draw determining which games will be played at home and away. The stakes are high as the top eight teams from the league phase will advance automatically to the knockout stages.
Changes to the Format
UEFA has introduced a groundbreaking new format for the 2024/25 Champions League, replacing the traditional group stage with a “Swiss model” league structure. This change is part of UEFA’s efforts to reduce “dead rubber” matches and increase the overall number of games, with a staggering 66.7% more matches compared to the previous season.
Each of the 36 qualified teams will play eight matches against eight different opponents, selected from four pots based on their UEFA club coefficients. Teams will be drawn against two opponents from each pot. The draw will be automated using AI software, ensuring a random and balanced selection of fixtures. Clubs cannot face more than two teams from the same country, and no team will face another from the same UEFA member association during the league phase.
Important Dates and Teams Overview
With the new format, the Champions League Group Stage fixtures will span from September 2024 to January 2025. Key matchdays include:
| Matchday | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 | 17–19 September 2024 |
| 2 | 1/2 October 2024 |
| 3 | 22/23 October 2024 |
| 4 | 5/6 November 2024 |
| 5 | 26/27 November 2024 |
| 6 | 10/11 December 2024 |
| 7 | 21/22 January 2025 |
| 8 | 29 January 2025 |
Teams will be drawn from four pots, with Pot 1 including heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, while Pot 2 features strong contenders like Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, and Juventus. Pots 3 and 4 are filled with both familiar and debuting teams. Here’s a summary of the countries and their participating teams:
| Country | Teams |
|---|---|
| Spain (La Liga) | Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Atletico Madrid |
| Italy (Serie A) | Atalanta, Inter, AC Milan, Juventus, Bologna |
| England (Premier League) | Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa |
| Germany (Bundesliga) | Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund |
| France (Ligue 1) | Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Brest |
| Netherlands (Eredivisie) | PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord |
| Portugal (Primeira Liga) | Sporting CP, Benfica |
| Belgium (Belgian Pro League) | Club Brugge |
| Scotland (Scottish Premiership) | Celtic |
| Austria (Austrian Bundesliga) | Sturm Graz |
| Ukraine (Ukrainian Premier League) | Shakhtar Donetsk |
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Special Recognition
The 2024/25 Champions League draw will also feature a special moment dedicated to Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese legend, who is the all-time leading scorer in the competition with 140 goals, will be honored by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin for his remarkable achievements in the tournament. Ronaldo’s legacy in the Champions League is unmatched, with five titles and numerous records, including the most goals in a single season (17) and the longest scoring streak (11 matches). This recognition will take place during the draw, celebrating a career that has left an indelible mark on European football.
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