UEFA is considering implementing three major adjustments to the Champions League format, despite recently overhauling the competition structure.
This season marked the debut of a new 36-team league-style format where each team played eight matches, with fixtures determined by UEFA’s scheduling algorithm. The top eight teams automatically advanced to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th faced off in two-legged play-offs.
Though initially met with criticism, the revamped system has gained praise for increasing the excitement and stakes in matches. Still, concerns remain—such as Liverpool finishing top of the table with 21 points but being eliminated by PSG in the following round.
PSG narrowly defeated Aston Villa in the quarter-finals and now face Arsenal, who dominated Real Madrid with a 5-1 aggregate win. The other semi-final pits Barcelona against Inter Milan, with the final set for May 31 at the Allianz Arena.
According to German outlet Bild, UEFA plans to review possible changes for the 2025/26 season, with one of Arsenal’s key complaints under discussion. The club has taken issue with being forced to play the second leg away from home in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, despite finishing significantly higher than their opponents in the league table.
Barcelona is similarly affected, as they placed above Inter but must travel to Milan for the return leg. While round of 16 group winners previously earned home advantage in the second leg, UEFA may extend this rule to all knockout rounds.
Additionally, UEFA is reportedly considering removing extra time and resolving drawn matches with immediate penalty shootouts. However, no formal proposal has yet been submitted to IFAB, football’s rule-making body.
Another potential reform involves ending the “country protection” rule. This season, teams from the same nation met earlier than usual, including in the play-offs and round of 16—resulting in matchups like PSG vs. Brest, Bayern vs. Leverkusen, and Real vs. Atletico.
These changes will likely be discussed at UEFA’s Club Competitions Committee meeting on May 30, just ahead of the Champions League final.