The Champions League has adopted a new format for the current season, which also means a shift in how the group stage draw will be conducted.
This new structure expands the competition from 32 to 36 teams, with each team set to play eight matches in a single group stage. At the end of this stage, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the knockout phase, while those finishing from ninth to 24th will enter a play-off round.
So, how will the new Champions League group stage draw work? There are some similarities to the previous format. The 36 teams will be seeded and divided into four pots, each containing nine teams.
An AI supercomputer, developed by an English company, will then generate eight fixtures for each team based on various factors, including preventing clubs from the same country from facing one another during this stage. According to journalist Kaveh Solhekol, a maximum of two clubs from the same country can be drawn against each other in the opening phase.
The new draw is expected to take about 35 minutes, a significant improvement from the previous manual process, which could take around four hours. UEFA is reportedly confident that the AI-driven draw is secure from potential cyberattacks, addressing a new concern compared to traditional methods.
The draw will take place in Monte Carlo, featuring Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa representing English clubs this season. Italy and Germany each have five teams entered due to their superior UEFA coefficients from the previous season.
Football fans will have to see how draw officials Giorgio Marchetti and Pedro Pinto will be involved in this new computerized system. The 2024/25 Champions League group stage draw is scheduled for Thursday at 5 PM UK time in Monte Carlo.
Credit: Sport Bible
