Big changes coming to Women's Champions League as UEFA announce new format including 18-team league as well as new second tier competition
A new format for the Women's Champions League and the creation of a second European competition has been given the green light by UEFA.
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New format for Women's Champions LeagueSecond European competition to be createdChanges to come in for 2025-26 seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
The UEFA Executive Committee met in Hamburg on Saturday to approve a new format for the UEFA Women's Champions League and the creation of a second European competition for women's clubs. The committee ruled that these changes will come into effect for the 2025-26 season. The revamped Champions League will consist of an 18-team league phase with three home and away matches followed by knock-out rounds.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
These changes will bring the women's game in line with the men's Champions League, which will use this 'Swiss model' format from next season – where there is one big group rather than multiple groups of four teams. The creation of a first-ever second European competition is another step in the development of women's football.
DID YOU KNOW?
The men's game has had a second tier European competition since 1971, in what was called the UEFA Cup and since 2009 has been called the Europa League.
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GettyWHAT NEXT?
UEFA say full details on the aforementioned competitions' formats, access list and calendar will be announced on Monday, December 4.