How does the UEFA Champions League work? Competition format explained for 2023/24
In 1998, the World Cup-winning captain and manager Franz Beckenbauer warned: "I can see a time, not that far into the future, when all the biggest games will be between clubs, not countries." Der Kaiser's word was hardly solid as oak - a look back at his comments surrounding the Qatar World Cup proves as much - but he did have a point about the battle between club and country. Even after a knockout stage devoid of the drama which has become a staple of recent editions, the Champions League remains the biggest competition in football. In search of even more revenue and riches, the insatiable powers that be at the top of the continental game are set to revamp the competition's vaunted format for the 2024/25 campaign. Here's how the next iteration of the Champions League will work before it undergoes a dramatic (and potentially detrimental) remodelling. Quick Links 2023/24 Champions League qualification 2023/24 Champions League group stage 2023/24 Champions League kn...