This season, fourteen teams are in the hunt for the final seven spots in the Champions League, with Liverpool potentially facing Pep Lijnders’ Salzburg among the contenders.
Although Europe’s top football competition officially kicks off in mid-September, clubs have been battling for the last available spots since June.
Liverpool earned their place in the tournament thanks to last season’s strong performance under Jurgen Klopp, but this time, it will be Arne Slot who guides them through the European campaign, his first at Anfield.
8With the club returning to the prestigious tournament, there’s a sense of anticipation. However, it’s important to remember that this year’s Champions League has a new look.
The revamped format has expanded the competition from 32 to 36 teams, eliminating the traditional group stage. Instead of six games, each team will now play eight matches before possibly advancing to the knockout rounds.
So far, 29 teams have secured their spots, leaving 14 teams to battle it out in the final play-off round for the remaining seven places.
The Race for the Final 7 Spots
Among those vying for a spot are Sporting, Benfica, Club Brugge, Celtic, Sturm Graz, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
When is the First Draw?
The initial draw for this season’s Champions League will take place in Monaco on August 29.
Given the expanded format, teams will be matched by an automated system rather than the traditional ball draw. Each team will face seven different opponents, with half of the matches at home and the other half away. Notably, there will be no repeat fixtures in this phase.
- League draw – August 29
- Matchday 1: September 17-19
- Matchday 2: October 1/2
- Matchday 3: October 22/23
- Matchday 4: November 5/6
- Matchday 5: November 26/27
- Matchday 6: December 10/11
- Matchday 7: January 21/22
- Matchday 8: January 29
- Play-off draw – January 31
- Knockout play-offs: February 11/12 and 18/19
- Last 16/quarter-final/semi-final draw – February 21
- Last 16: March 4/5 and 11/12
- Quarter-final: April 8/9 and 15/16
- Semi-final: April 29/30 and May 6/7
- Final: May 31 (Munich)
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