Champions League 2024-25: All you need to know about group stage draw - date, time, teams

The draws for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 season are all set to take center stage as a new revamped format of the competition makes its debut. Unlike the 32-team group stage format, from this season onwards, the draws will consist of 36 teams with AI-driven software in use to determine the competition draw. So what is new in the competition and teams will be excited to participate in this season’s competition, here is all you need to know, including the dates, timings, and the teams.

When is the draw for the Champions League group stage?

The draw for the group stage will be held on Thursday August 29.

At what time will the Champions League draw start?

The draw for the group stage will start at 5:00 PM UK time and 9:30 PM IST.

Where will the Champions League draw take place?

The draws for the Champions League will be held in Monaco.

How does the new Champions League format work?

Taking the total number of teams from 32 to 36 in the Champions League, the biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league phase including all participating teams.

Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of eight league-stage games against eight different opponents (four home games, four away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home-and-away basis.

The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.

Teams ranked 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions.

Why is the draw being done by a computer?

The new draw system is expected to take around 35 minutes - the same duration as the manual draws for the previous 32-team format with a group phase and knockout stage.

Without the bespoke software, an old-fashioned manual draw for the expanded competition would take four hours and require up to 1,000 balls and 36 glass bowls.

Is the draw safe and fair?

UEFA is confident the draw in Monaco is safe from the threat of cyberattack. The software that will conduct Thursday's draw was developed by UK IT company AE Live.

To ensure safety and fairness, there will also be two backup software systems, and the draw will be audited by accountancy firm Ernst & Young.

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When will fans know the fixture dates?

The finalised fixture list will be released on Saturday, August 31.

How many teams can you face from any one nation?

In the league phase, teams cannot face opponents from their own country and can face a maximum of two sides from the same country.

Which teams have qualified for the league phase?

At the time of writing, 33 teams have qualified for the Champions League group stage, with three more teams to join them after Wednesday evening’s result.

Where is the Champions League final being held in 2025?

The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season will take place in Munich at the Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025.