The UEFA Champions League could undergo significant changes starting in the 2025/26 season, according to reports from BILD and discussions circulating among UEFA stakeholders. These proposed reforms aim to address fixture congestion, enhance competitive balance, and respond to feedback from clubs, players, and broadcasters. The changes under consideration include eliminating extra time in knockout matches, granting home advantage to top-performing teams, and preventing same-country matchups until the quarter-finals. Here’s a detailed look at each proposal and its potential impact on the tournament.
1. No Extra Time in Knockout Matches — Straight to Penalties
One of the most radical proposals is the removal of extra time in knockout phase matches. Currently, if a two-legged tie is level on aggregate after 90 minutes in the second leg, teams play an additional 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if the scores remain tied. Under the new plan, ties would skip extra time entirely and proceed directly to penalties.
Why the Change?
The rationale behind this proposal stems from growing concerns about player fatigue and an increasingly congested football calendar. With clubs competing in domestic leagues, cup competitions, and international tournaments, the additional 30 minutes of extra time can strain squads, particularly for underdog teams with limited depth. The Guardian reported that players’ unions have long advocated for abolishing extra time to ease physical demands, a sentiment echoed by clubs participating in early-season qualifying rounds. Additionally, UEFA data indicates that extra time is relatively rare—only three Champions League ties from the round of 16 onward required it in the 2023/24 season, and none in 2022/23—suggesting its removal might not drastically alter outcomes.
Potential Impact
– Pros : Skipping extra time could reduce player burnout and create a fairer playing field for smaller clubs, who often struggle against deeper squads in prolonged matches. Broadcasters might also appreciate the predictability of match durations, avoiding scheduling overruns, and the immediate drama of penalties could boost viewership.
– Cons : Critics, particularly traditionalists, may argue that extra time adds suspense and allows teams a final chance to settle ties through open play. Broadcasters, while potentially favouring penalties, could lose the high-stakes narrative of extra-time heroics, as seen in iconic matches like Manchester City’s 2024 quarter-final against Real Madrid, which went to penalties after extra time.
2. Top 8 Teams to Host Second Leg in Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals
Another proposed change would grant teams finishing in the top eight of the Champions League phase the advantage of hosting the second leg in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In the current 2024/25 format, the top eight teams receive a bye to the round of 16 and host the second leg in that round, but subsequent leg orders are determined by a random draw. The new rule would extend this home advantage to the later stages, rewarding teams for strong performances in the 36-team league phase.
Why the Change?
This proposal responds to feedback from clubs, including Arsenal, who have criticized the current system for potentially penalizing top performers. For example, in the 2024/25 season, Arsenal, despite finishing in the top eight, did not automatically host the second leg in their quarter-final against Real Madrid, though they still won 5-1 on aggregate. Hosting the second leg is seen as a significant advantage, as teams can strategize with the home crowd’s support and the knowledge of the aggregate score. The change would incentivize teams to prioritize the league phase, aiming for a top-eight finish to secure this edge.
Potential Impact
– Pros : Rewarding top-eight teams with home advantage aligns with the principle of meritocracy, giving clubs extra motivation to excel early in the competition. For fans, it could mean more high-stakes matches at home stadiums for top clubs like Liverpool, Barcelona, or Inter Milan, enhancing the atmosphere. In 2024/25, top-eight teams like Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated the value of home support, with Arsenal’s 3-0 first-leg win over Real Madrid setting the tone for their quarter-final triumph.
– Cons : Critics might argue that this change could further favour bigger clubs with stronger squads, potentially widening the gap between top teams and underdogs. If two top-eight teams face each other, the proposal suggests the higher-ranked team would host the second leg, which could spark debates about fairness in tightly contested ties.
3. Keeping Clubs from the Same Country Apart Until Quarter-Finals
The third proposal would reinstate “country protection” in the Champions League, preventing teams from the same domestic league from facing each other until the quarter-finals. In the previous group-stage format (pre-2024/25), teams from the same country were kept apart until the quarter-finals, but the new 36-team league phase removed this restriction, allowing same-country matchups in the play-offs and round of 16. For instance, in 2024/25, Paris Saint-Germain faced Ligue 1 side Brest in the play-offs, while Real Madrid played Atlético Madrid in the round of 16.
Why the Change?The removal of country protection in the 2024/25 season led to early domestic derbies, which some argue dilutes the international flavour of the Champions League. Reinstating this rule would ensure more diverse matchups in the early knockout stages, pitting clubs from different leagues against each other. It could also prevent powerhouse leagues like the Premier League or LaLiga from dominating early rounds, as seen in 2024/25 when English clubs Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa all reached the quarter-finals. The change is reportedly driven by clubs seeking to avoid familiar domestic rivals in high-stakes European ties.
Potential Impact
– Pros : Keeping same-country teams apart would enhance the global appeal of the competition, showcasing a wider variety of playing styles and rivalries. For example, fans might prefer seeing Barcelona face Bayern Munich rather than Real Madrid in the round of 16, preserving domestic derbies for later stages. It could also level the playing field for smaller leagues, whose teams might otherwise face elimination by dominant clubs from the same country.
– Cons : The absence of country protection has created compelling early matchups, such as the 2024/25 Madrid derby, which Real Madrid won on penalties. Fans and broadcasters may miss these high-profile clashes, and enforcing country protection could complicate the draw process, especially with multiple teams from top leagues like England and Spain. In 2024/25, five English clubs qualified for the knockout phase, making it challenging to avoid same-country ties without restricting draw flexibility.
As the Club Competitions Committee prepares to meet on May 30, 2025, the football world awaits clarity on whether these reforms will reshape the path to the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30, 2026. For now, the 2024/25 season continues with Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Inter Milan vying for glory in Munich, potentially under the current rules for the last time.
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