The Champions League returns this week with the opening matches of the new-look tournament taking place on Tuesday, September 17.
The expanded competitions sees 36 teams taking part in the first round, which is now known as the league phase. The ‘Swiss model’ format means teams will play against seven different opponents – four at home and four away – to be ranked in a 36-club table.
The first round of fixtures has thrown up some mouth-watering ties. AC Milan host Liverpool on Tuesday and Inter Milan travel to Manchester City in a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final. For the first time ever, we’ve also got Thursday action from European soccer’s elite club competition.
Why are UCL games scheduled for Thursday?
The opening week of the 2024/25 Champions League will be played across three days: Tuesday, September 17; Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19.
This is a real departure from previous years when Tuesday and Wednesday have been the designed days for UCL action. Thursdays have been for the Europa League and, more recently, the Conference League.
That general structure will remain going forward but this is designated a ‘exclusive week’ for the Champions League. Across the course of the season each of UEFA’s three club competitions will be given priority for one week, with no matches scheduled in either of the other two competitions.
When is the Europa League exclusive week?
From Tuesday to Thursday this week, the Champions League will be the only show in town for fans of European soccer.
The Europa League will headline the following week, with games taking place on both Wednesday, September 25 and Thursday, September 26, rather than the usual Thursday-only schedule.
Even the Conference League has an exclusive week, but that is restricted to just one day. The Matchday 6 games will be held on Thursday, December 19 with no other UEFA competitions scheduled for that week. European soccer’s governing body will hope that the absence of competition will help give greater focus to the Conference League, which features the likes of Chelsea and Real Betis this year.
