UEFA Champions League: Things to know about new format
The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024/25 season is almost here, and excitement is in the air! This isn’t just another event on the football calendar; it’s a moment that brings fans even in the comfort of their homes together to share in the thrill of what’s to come. With fresh competition formats and highly-anticipated matchups, this draw promises to be unforgettable.
Mark your calendars! The draw will take place on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at the stunning Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. It kicks off at 6 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. IST), and you can feel the electricity buzzing all around, especially among die-hard supporters who live and breathe their clubs.
This season is unlike any other, as the traditional group stage makes way for an exciting league phase with 36 teams battling it out. Each club is guaranteed eight matches against different opponents, meaning more thrilling action and fresh rivalries to savour. For the fans, it means more opportunities to see their beloved teams in action and fewer times staring at the calendar wishing for that next match day.
In a fascinating twist, this year’s draw will blend the excitement of the traditional ball-drawing method with modern technology. The tension building in the room as teams are manually drawn, followed by an automated system that assigns matchups. This fusion of old and new not only ensures fairness but amps up the thrill as clubs brace themselves for the unpredictable. The rules are simple: no teams from the same country can face each other initially, making for a colourful array of fixtures that will have fans on the edge of their seats.
As the draw approaches, the anticipation builds as fans think about which pot their teams are in. Clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City are household names resting comfortably in Pot 1, while lesser-known teams dream of making a mark. Below is the complete list of all the pots and the teams in it.
Pot 1: Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Barcelona.
Pot 2: Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Juventus, Benfica, Arsenal, Club Brugge, Shakhtar Donetsk, AC Milan.
Pot 3: Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Dinamo Zagreb, RB Salzburg, Lille, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys, Celtic.
Pot 4: Slovan Bratislava, AS Monaco, Sparta Prague, Aston Villa, Bologna, Girona, Stuttgart, Sturm Graz, Brest.
Let’s be real—this draw is more than just numbers and pots; it’s personal. Fans have spent countless nights cheering for their teams, sharing highs and lows with family and friends. The thought of going head-to-head with historic rivals or underdog teams both brings excitement and a bit of nerve-wracking suspense. For supporters, it’s not just a game; it’s a cherished part of their lives, filled with stories, traditions, and pride.
