Following the completion of the playoff round on Wednesday, the pots for Thursday’s UEFA Champions League draw have been finalized. This draw will mark the first time it takes place under the new format, where all 36 teams will be placed in one league table. The draw is set to begin at 5 p.m. UK / midday ET, with the first fixtures scheduled for Sept. 17-19. The league phase of the competition will span from September to January, with all 18 games on the final matchday being played simultaneously.
The New Draw Format
In contrast to previous seasons, where teams were placed into groups, the new draw format will create eight fixtures for each club. Each team will play two matches, one at home and one away, against teams from each of the four pots. This means that teams will face opponents from their own pot, rendering being in Pot 1 no longer advantageous. In the past, being in Pot 1 guaranteed teams would avoid playing against the strongest clubs in the tournament. Pot 1 used to consist of the holders of the Champions League and Europa League, along with the champions of the top six domestic leagues.
Changes in Pot Placement
The distribution of teams in pots is now determined by UEFA’s club coefficient, which ranks clubs based on their performance in European competitions over the previous five seasons. Only the reigning Champions League titleholders will be automatically placed in Pot 1; all other positions will be determined by the UEFA club coefficient. This season, the Champions League final will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Saturday, May 31.
The new format of the UEFA Champions League draw marks a significant departure from previous years. With all teams now in one league table and matches scheduled against clubs from the same pot, the element of surprise and unpredictability has been increased. Teams will no longer have the luxury of avoiding powerhouse clubs in the early stages of the competition, making for a more competitive and engaging tournament overall. As the draw unfolds and fixtures are set, football fans around the world eagerly anticipate the excitement and drama that the UEFA Champions League never fails to deliver.