A computer instead of almost 1000 balls: The procedure for the draw is also changing for the reformed Champions League, UEFA has announced.
Because 36 clubs will take part in the Champions League in future and each club will play eight games in the league phase (formerly the group phase) instead of the previous six, the old format with the ceremonial drawing of balls would lead to an "unbearably long draw", writes UEFA.
Instead, on August 29 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, a software program will be used to allocate the opponents. The clubs will first be divided into four pots and then drawn one after the other. However, the computer then allocates eight opponents for each club drawn, with each club playing two teams from each pot.
The software also decides on the respective home fixture. The exact day and kick-off time of the respective matches will be published by UEFA after the draw for the Europa League and the Conference League (August 30) on August 31. The new format of the Champions League provides for a league system with all 36 participating teams instead of a group stage. These teams will each play eight matches against other teams.
SDA