The Champions League will undergo major changes in the 2024/25 season as it transitions from its recognisable current format. The group stage is now a thing of the past with the number of teams increasing from 32 to 36. All teams are placed in a joint league under the new format in the League Phase. The competition will be played in a Swiss Model where each team plays eight games against different opponents home and away. The top eight teams will qualify directly to the last 16, the stage from which the competition will follow the existing format, while teams finishing in 9th to 24th place will enter a double-legged playoff stage.
The slot allocations in the Champions League will also change with additional ones determined by the UEFA coefficient rankings. The Champions League and Europa League winners of the 2023/24 season will directly qualify for the league phase. Joining them directly will be 27 more teams while the remaining slots will be filled up by sides coming through the playoffs. The two associations with the highest coefficients from the previous season will receive an extra Champions League berth. With the current season nearing its conclusion with few matches left, some teams have made their way into the brand-new Champions League. So far, only five sides have confirmed their spot of whom two have been crowned champions.
Here are all the teams qualified for the 2024/25 Champions League Phase
Real Madrid (Spain)
After a thrilling victory over their rivals Barcelona in El Clasico, Real Madrid confirmed their spot in the Champions League next season. Even if the Los Blancos capitulate from their 11-point lead at the top of the La Liga table, they are guaranteed to finish in the top four. The Catalan giants are not far behind with seven points required from their remaining six matches to confirm their spot. Surprise package Girona in third also remain in the mix while the battle is intense between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club for the final spot with only three points separating them.
Bayer Leverkusen (Germany)
Bayer Leverkusen scripted a fairytale season by winning the Bundesliga unbeaten, snatching the crown from Bayern Munich who has dominated the league for a decade. Although the Bavarians have lost their hold on their domestic title, they remain in the race to win the Champions League this season and are only four points behind to make it into the league phase of the next edition. Another unexpected side, VFB Stuttgart in third could run into a top-spot battle closely fought by RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund with the latter remaining in this season’s competition.
Inter Milan (Italy)
Inter also beat their city rivals in the Milan derby to clinch their 20th Serie A title. The Nerazzuri have secured Champions League qualification before that with this being their 25th appearance in the competition. Although AC Milan got no chance in the title chase, the Rossoneri will secure a berth in the top-tier European contest with five more points. Juventus and sensationally Bologna are in the top four while Roma, Atalanta and Lazio want the rest to fall off to push for an entry.
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
With little surprise, PSG have made it to the Champions League from France staying at the top and requiring just four points to secure a record-extending 12th Ligue 1 title. The Parisians have also made it to the semifinals of the Champions League this season. Three teams from the French top flight will make it into the league phase with second-place AS Monaco and third-place Brest currently running for it with Lille in contention as well.
