The 2024-25 Champions League proper is upon us - only this year's UEFA draw will be conducted in a brand new format. The Premier League's four representatives will contest a brand new league phase rather than a group stage.
Previously there were 32 teams assorted into eight groups. Each club played six games against three opponents, facing each home and away. The top two teams from each group progressed to the last 16 of the competition.
Now, it is a 36-team tournament in a league format. Each club will play eight 'group' matches against eight different opponents to determine the standings.
The top eight teams progress to the round of 16 while the teams ninth to 24th will contest two-legged playoff ties with the eight winning sides going into the next round.
Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa are the four Premier League clubs waiting to find out their fates with Scottish side Celtic the fifth and final British team in tonight's draw.
Express Sport provides live coverage of the Champions League draw below...
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What are the confirmed pots?
The pots for today's Champions League draw have already been confirmed.
Liverpool have been placed in Pot One alongside Manchester City.
Arsenal take their place in Pot Two with the likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Aston Villa, who have never played in the Champions League since it was rebranded in 1992, will be in Pot Four.
CONFIRMED: #UCLdraw pots for the league phase \u2705 pic.twitter.com/hlVrDh7Hvt
\u2014 UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 28, 2024
What is the new Champions League format?
A single league format will be used this season, with teams playing eight matches against eight different teams.
Four extra clubs will be added to take the total number of participating teams up to 36.
All eight matches will be played against different sides, with four at home and four away, and organised by seeding.
The league phase will determine an overall ranking, with three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.
The top eight finishers will automatically advance to the last 16. The 16 teams finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a play-off round over two legs.
Teams who finish 25th or below will be eliminated and will not drop down to the Europa League.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage of this year's Champions League draw.
It will take place at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland, with the draw itself set to get underway at 5pm.
There will be an entirely new format in place for this season, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa all involved.
Stay tuned for all the latest...
