The UEFA Champions League is set to undergo a substantial overhaul for the upcoming season, with plans to implement a tennis-style seeding system for the knockout stages. This decision has been made in light of the recognition by UEFA that the manual draw process would prove to be excessively time-consuming, potentially lasting for as long as three to four hours, due to the competition’s new format.
One of the key changes to the Champions League will be the expansion of the group stage to accommodate 36 teams, as opposed to the current 32-team setup that has been in place since the 1999-2000 season. This will result in each team facing eight different opponents in the league phase, with the aim of reducing inconsequential matches, pitting larger teams against each other earlier in the competition, and giving greater significance to finishing position in the league when it comes to the knockout draw.
Although the manual draw process of teams from seeded pots will not be entirely eliminated, UEFA’s deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti has revealed that a full manual draw would be impracticable for the upcoming season. Consequently, the Champions League draws will now incorporate a combination of manual and automated elements.
In order to uphold transparency and integrity, UEFA has emphasized that any automated processes will be independently audited to prevent any accusations of bias or manipulation. Additionally, the seeding system from the last 16 onwards will ensure that clubs finishing first and second in the league phase are kept in separate halves of the draw, with the top four seeds restricted from meeting each other until the semi-finals.
Another notable development is the introduction of a tennis-style seeding system, which will place increased importance on a club’s finishing position in the league. Interestingly, the idea of a ‘US draft’ system for the knockout rounds was considered, in which clubs would select potential opponents based on their seeding, but this was ultimately dismissed in favour of the tennis-style seeding system.
Furthermore, the league phase will reserve two European performance spots (EPS) for teams from the top-performing countries in the previous season’s European campaign. Currently, Italy and Germany hold these spots, potentially opening up a fifth Champions League qualifying spot in the Premier League if other English clubs, such as Manchester United, aspire to success from rivals Manchester City and Liverpool in the Champions League and Europa League.
With these significant changes, the new format and draw process for the UEFA Champions League are poised to bring added excitement and anticipation to the competition, while ensuring a fair and transparent process for the participating clubs.