UEFA Addresses Format Issue Impacting Clubs In 2024/25 Campaign

‎UEFA has confirmed new seeding regulations for the Champions League knockout rounds, notably eliminating the tradition of granting home advantage based on league position.

‎The changes mean that the venue for the second leg will now be decided based on merit rather than a random draw. These alterations, announced in May, aim to make the knockout stage more competitive and fair.

‎It was expected that UEFA would determine the team that plays at home in the return leg of the quarterfinals and semifinals based on the final League Phase positions of the teams involved in the tie.

‎For example, a team finishing third in their group would typically host the 15th-placed team in the second leg.

‎However, UEFA has changed the criteria to prioritize teams that finished in positions 1-4 or those who eliminated their opponents.

‎Teams that finish in the top four are now guaranteed to host the second leg in the round of 16 and quarterfinals if they progress.

‎Additionally, the top two teams in the rankings are assured home advantage for the semifinals, regardless of other factors.

‎Arsenal were annoyed that they had to play the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain in France last season, even though the Gunners had been placed 3rd in the League Phase and PSG 15th.

‎However, this regulation change would not have benefited Arsenal. Since PSG eliminated Liverpool, who were ranked No. 1, PSG would gain home advantage over Liverpool in the next round based on the new rules.

‎As a result, despite being ranked 15th, PSG would be guaranteed a home second leg in both the quarterfinals and semifinals.

‎It means that if the same were to happen next season, Arsenal would still have to play the second leg away. It provides less incentive to get a higher placing inside the top eight, and gives the chance for a team outside the top places to get the priority seeding.

‎UEFA’s decision not to re-rank each tie solely based on league phase standings creates an imbalance and further divides the knockout bracket. It disadvantages teams that finish third or fourth, as they are now unable to secure a home advantage in the second leg of the semifinals.

‎This change overall impacts the fairness and competitiveness of the knockout stage.

‎Only the teams who finish in the following positions can get a home second leg in the semifinal: first, second, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, and 24th.

‎It is a marked difference from how most U.S. sports re-rank seedings during their playoff schedules.

‎The Effect Of The Previous Format

‎The rule change would have created a different semifinal order for Barcelona (second) vs. Internazionale (fourth). The Serie A side, which reached the final, was drawn at home last season, but under the new system, Barcelona would automatically have priority.

‎Last season, Arsenal faced Real Madrid (ranked 11th) in the second leg of their quarterfinal, which was played at the Bernabéu.

‎Under the new regulations, this tie format would be reversed this season, giving third-place teams automatic home advantage in the last eight.

‎These regulation changes also apply across the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, and UEFA Women’s Champions League.