UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Fixtures, Key Dates, and New Format Explained

As the UEFA Champions League enters its 2024/25 season, the excitement surrounding Europe's premier club football competition is palpable. This season marks a significant shift in format and structure, promising thrilling matches and intense competition. Below, we delve into the detailed fixtures, key dates, and what to expect from this prestigious tournament.

New Format Overview

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The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League introduces a new format that replaces the traditional group stage with a singular 36-team league stage. Each team will play eight matches—four at home and four away—against different opponents. The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the knockout stage, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff round to secure their places in the Round of 16.

Key Dates for the 2024/25 Season

1. Qualifying Rounds:

• First Qualifying Round: July 9/10 & 16/17, 2024
• Second Qualifying Round: July 23/24 & 30/31, 2024
• Third Qualifying Round: August 6/7 & 13, 2024
• Play-offs: August 20/21 & 27/28, 2024

2. League Stage Matches:

• 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 28-29, 2025

3. Knockout Stage:

• Knockout Round Play-offs: February 11/12 & February18/19, 2025
• Round of 16: March 4/5 & March11/12, 2025
• Quarter-finals: April8/9 & April15/16,2025
• Semi-finals: April29/30 & May6/7,2025
• Final: May31,2025

Detailed Fixtures for the League Stage

Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024

• September 17

1. Feyenoord vs. Bayer Leverkusen (CET: 18:45)
2. Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica (CET: 18:45)
3. Manchester City vs. Inter Milan (CET: 21:00)
4. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Girona (CET: 21:00)

• September 18

1. Bologna vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (CET: 18:45)
2. Celtic vs. Slovan Bratislava (CET: 21:00)
3. Club Brugge vs. Borussia Dortmund (CET: 21:00)

• September 19

1. Atalanta vs. Arsenal (CET: 21:00)
2. Atletico Madrid vs. RB Leipzig (CET: 21:00)

Matchday 2: October 1-2, 2024

• October 1

1. Atalanta vs. Celtic (CET: 18:45)
2. Brest vs. Bayer Leverkusen (CET: 18:45)

• October 2

1. Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (CET: 21:00)
2. Manchester City vs. Sparta Prague (CET: 21:00)

Matchday 3: October 22-23, 2024

• October 22

1. Liverpool vs. PSV Eindhoven (CET: TBA)
2. Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Young Boys (CET: TBA)

• October 23

1. Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille (CET: TBA)
2. Real Madrid vs. AC Milan (CET: TBA)

Matchday 4: November 5-6, 2024

• November 5

1. Bayern Munich vs. Benfica (CET: TBA)
2. Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen (CET: TBA)

• November 6

1. Feyenoord vs. Salzburg (CET: TBA)
2. Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid (CET: TBA)

Matchday 5: November 26-27, 2024

• November 26

1. Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan (CET: TBA)
2. Sparta Prague vs. Atletico Madrid (CET: TBA)

• November 27

1. Barcelona vs. Brest (CET: TBA)
2. Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain (CET: TBA)

Matchday 6: December 10-11, 2024

• December 10

1. Girona vs. Liverpool (CET: TBA)
2. Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic (CET: TBA)

• December 11

1. Juventus vs. Benfica (CET: TBA)
2. Inter Milan vs. Monaco (CET: TBA)

Knockout Stage Fixtures

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The knockout stage will see the top teams from the league phase battle it out in a two-legged format leading to the final.

Round of Sixteen (March)

The fixtures will be determined based on the standings from the league phase and will be announced after the conclusion of the league matches.

Conclusion

The UEFA Champions League is set for an exhilarating season in its new format starting September with a host of exciting fixtures lined up across Europe’s most iconic stadiums. Fans can look forward to witnessing some of the best clubs and players in action as they vie for one of football's most coveted trophies.

As always with this prestigious tournament, surprises are expected along with intense rivalries and unforgettable moments that define European club football at its finest. Be sure to mark your calendars for these crucial matchdays and prepare for an unforgettable journey through the Champions League!