The Champions League is back, but not as we know it.
This season’s competition is the first since Uefa adopted the so-called Swiss Model which has seen the group stage dismantled and replaced by one gigantic league table containing 36 clubs, up from 32 in the old format.
Clubs will play eight different opponents during the league phase with four matches at home and four away, adding an extra two games to the opening phase of the Champions League. Much to the delight of players and managers everywhere…
An expanded tournament also means there is an elongated schedule. Previously, the group stage would be done and dusted before Christmas, however, it will not continue into January in an attempt to minimise congestion in the calendar.
Here’s how you can watch every game in the UK:
How to watch the Champions League
Another change, at least for UK audiences, is the television coverage, with two broadcasters showing the games this year.
TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) had aired Champions League football exclusively since the 2015-16 season but will have to learn to share this year with Amazon Prime, albeit while continuing as the principal broadcaster.
TNT Sports will show 185 matches live on TV and online viewers can also stream the games on Discovery+. In previous years, TNT have made the final free-to-air on their YouTube channel.
Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole will provide their analysis in the studio while Ally McCoist offers his customary colour from the commentary box.
Amazon Prime are dipping their toes into the Champions League pool for the first time and will show one game per round on Tuesday nights.
Their coverage begins with a tantalising re-run of the 2005 final between AC Milan and Liverpool at San Siro.
Amazon also have the rights for Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen in November which will see Xabi Alonso return to Anfield where he spent six seasons as a player. They also have the rights to two Arsenal fixtures and one Manchester City match.
They have hired some big names for their inaugural Champions League including former England internationals Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge.
Clarence Seedorf, who won the competition with Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan as a player, will also be on punditry duty with Gabby Logan presenting the coverage.
As part of Amazon’s live offering there will be a “Rapid Recap” highlights feature for fans who have missed the start of a game to catch up on the key moments.
Champions League matches on Amazon Prime
Tuesday 17 September
Tuesday 1 October
Tuesday 22 October
- Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Tuesday 5 November
- Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen
Tuesday 26 November
- Manchester City vs Feyenoord
*Final three fixtures to be confirmed at a later date
Football fans will also be able to catch some of the action on the BBC for the first time, albeit through a Match of the Day style highlights show on Wednesday nights after the games have finished.
The first highlights show will be broadcast at 10.40pm on Wednesday 18 September and will be shown on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and on the BBC Sport website and app.
How the ‘Swiss Model’ works
Initially created to match up and rank chess players at large tournaments, the Swiss Model means the Champions League group stage will now rank all 36 teams in the expanded format into one large table. In fact, it’s not even called the group stage any more – it’s the league phase.
The 36 teams have been split into four nine-strong pots based on the Uefa coefficient rankings, with Real Madrid at the top and Stade Brestois holding up the rear.
After the league phase, the first eight teams will automatically progress to the last 16, while those in ninth to 24th will play a two-legged knockout round to earn their places.
Teams which finish 25th or below will be eliminated and there is no longer relegation to the Europa League.
From the last 16 the format reverts to a traditional knockout bracket, all the way to the 2025 final at Munich’s Allianz Arena.