UEFA is considering introducing a Final Four structure for the Champions League semi-finals, according to L’Équipe. The format was addressed by President Aleksander eferin in May, and UEFA Director-General Theodore Theodoridis has now stated that the Final Four notion is being “seriously considered.”
Current Format
The UEFA Champions League will be played in a new format in 2024/25. UEFA based its design on broad talks with key stakeholders in the European football community to ensure the new 2024/25 model will deliver the best for clubs, players, and fans.
Participants are divided into eight groups of four during the current Champions League season. From the 2024/25 season onwards, all 36 competing clubs will compete in a single league. Four additional teams will be able to fight against Europe’s greatest clubs as a result of this.
Teams will play four more matches under the new structure than they do now. They will no longer face the same three opponents twice – at home and away – but will instead face ten different teams, half of whom will play at home and half of whom will play away. Clubs will be able to test themselves against a larger range of opponents, and spectators will be able to see the top teams go head to head more frequently sooner in the season.
Qualification for the Champions League will remain open and will be determined by a club’s final position in the domestic league competition the previous season. The overall position in the new league will be determined by the results of each match, with three points awarded for a win and one point awarded for a tie. The top eight teams from the playoffs will advance to the round of 16, where they will meet one of the top eight teams.
The New Proposed Format
For the Champions League semi-finals, UEFA is considering the Final Four structure. “We have a free Saturday for the Champions League final [in the football calendar]. We could hold a Final Four over the whole week. It could be similar to a European Super Bowl. […] We’ll discuss it with clubs, broadcasters and fans.”
At the start of next month, UEFA will conduct its convention, during which it is likely to alter Financial Fair Play rules to include a salary cap and a “luxury tax” that will be shared among the rest of the teams.
The governing body of European football is also expected to advise clubs to reduce the number of players on contract, as well as encourage leagues to take action.
