Champions League Top divisions could be cut to 18 teams
Europe’s top teams are pushing for change in European football’s biggest stage. Top sides want to introduce a European Super League that would raise both financial income and interest.
Many clubs have already reached out to UEFA in an attempt to reach an agreement and there was a similar situation in the 1990s which finally saw the creation of the current Champions League.
If the project were to come to fruition, it would of course have an effect on domestic league competitions.
Top clubs want to continue with their league competitions, but the priority is to accommodate for the new Super League. This would mean reducing the number of teams in league competitions or looking for new formats.
UEFA and FIFA have always supported the idea of leagues not having any more than 18 teams and this is the proposal they have put forward for any new competition.
LaLiga has always been against reducing team numbers, though.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin understands clubs’ concerns, but is aiming to introduce a new Champions League format in the summer of 2024.
The change will bring more matchdays, with possibly groups of six teams (10 matches minimum with 36 teams instead of the current 32).
The format isn’t final however and could be tweaked in the coming months.
The main problem is in terms of money. The current Champions League winner prize pot of 110 million euros is a long way off the supposed 500m that the winner of the Super League would pocket.
The offer is currently on the table and if an agreement is reached, it should see a shortening of the domestic calendar.
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