UEFA reveal major Champions League rule change in huge boost for £200m European BOMB SQUAD
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
UEFA has announced a significant rule change for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, primarily affecting the knockout stage’s home advantage. From this season onward, teams finishing in the top eight positions in the league phase will be guaranteed the advantage of hosting the second leg at home throughout the knockout rounds. This replaces the previous system where the venue for second-leg matches was decided by a draw, regardless of league phase ranking.
The change intends to reward better performance in the league phase, emphasizing the importance of finishing as high as possible. Teams ranked 9th to 24th will contest a knockout playoff round, with successful teams joining the top eight in the round of 16. The highest-ranked clubs from the initial phase will retain home advantage in all knockout ties should they advance.
This rule prevents situations like last season when Arsenal, despite finishing higher in the league phase, had to play key second-leg matches away because the draw favored their opponents. UEFA’s decision means only those finishing 1st to 8th have home priority in round of 16 and quarterfinals, with clubs ranked 1st and 2nd also securing home advantage in the semifinals.
The modification was agreed upon by UEFA's club competitions committee prior to the Champions League final and requires formal ratification by the UEFA Executive Committee. The new system aligns home advantage more closely with merit rather than luck, enhancing fairness and competitive balance.
Additionally, the Champions League format itself has evolved starting from the 2024/25 season, where 36 teams compete in a single league phase rather than traditional four-team groups. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents, half at home and half away. The top eight advance directly to the round of 16, while teams placing 9th to 24th enter playoffs to secure knockout progression.
This reform aims to provide fans with more varied, competitive fixtures and gives top teams a tangible reward for finishing higher, thus increasing the stakes in the league phase.
PP