Ever since the Champions League started in 1992, the tournament has started with a group game, where the teams are divided into four-team groups and played against each team twice.

But from the 2024-25 season onwards, it will be a thing of the past

At least eight matches

This is when the tournament, which is expanded from 32 teams to 36, will be played in a completely new series format.

All teams will then play eight matches, against eight different opponents.

"A big process"

All teams will then be in one and the same table, whereupon the eight highest ranked go directly to the playoffs.

Teams 9-24 will then meet in playoff meetings, where the winners go to the round of 16.

Today's decision means the end of a big process, where we have listened to the ideas from fans, players, coaches, national federations, clubs and leagues - to name a few.

The goal has been the best solution for developing European football, both nationally and internationally, says UEFA President Alexander Ceferin on UEFA's website, and continues:

- We are convinced that the chosen format has the right balance and will improve the balance in the competition, and provide large revenues that can be distributed to the clubs, leagues and grassroots football on our continent, which will increase the interest and popularity of club football.

The same model for the Europa League

At the same time, Uefa announces that no team will be able to qualify on historical merits, which has been a controversial proposal from some quarters in the past.

Instead, only the leagues' rankings will be decisive for how many teams from each country may be relevant for games.

The Europa League and Conference League will also consist of 36 teams, and will be played according to the above-mentioned league model.

In the Conference League, however, there will only be six league matches.