The Champions League group stage will be unlike the ones we have known. It is the biggest change in format for 20 years, since there were two group-stage mini leagues before the knockouts. From next season, the competition will adopt the 'Swiss Model'. Instead of groups of four, there will be one league of 36 teams.

From the 2024/25 season, 36 clubs will participate in the Champions League league phase (former group stage), giving four more sides the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in Europe. Those 36 clubs will participate in a single league competition in which all 36 competing clubs are ranked together.