Champions League 2025/26 – Format Changes and Match Rules Explained

Explore 2025/26 Champions League rule changes, new Swiss League format, knockout bracket, VAR expansion, and substitution laws.

The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season marks the second year of a revamped structure. From the number of teams to how ties are decided, UEFA has redefined the competition format with both entertainment and fairness in mind. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s new and what’s under review.

League Phase Changes: What’s Different?

• More Teams Involved: The league phase now features 36 clubs (up from 32).
  
• New Format – Swiss League: Instead of fixed groups, all clubs enter a single league table. Each team plays 8 matches – 4 at home, 4 away – against 8 different opponents.
  
• Qualification Pathway:
  
  • 29 teams qualify automatically.
    
  • 7 teams secure spots via qualification rounds.

Knockout Phase: Who Advances?

• Top 8 teams after the league phase go straight to the Round of 16.
  
• Teams ranked 9th–24th enter two-legged playoffs for the remaining 8 spots.
  
• Teams ranked 25th–36th are eliminated from all European competition.

Higher-ranked teams also gain home-leg advantage in the quarter-finals and semi-finals – a reward for strong league-phase performance.

Other Rule Updates to Note

Substitution Policy

• Five substitutions allowed per team per match.
  
• A sixth sub is allowed if the game goes into extra time.
  
• Teams can make substitutions during a maximum of three stoppages in regular time (an extra stoppage permitted in extra time).
  
• Substituted players cannot return.

VAR Coverage Expanded

• VAR is active from the first qualifying round of the tournament.
  
• This is the broadest application of VAR in Champions League history.

Extra Time & Country Protection (Under Review)

• UEFA is considering removing extra time for all rounds except the final. If adopted, knockout ties level after two legs would go straight to penalties.
  
• Country protection (preventing same-nation clashes before quarter-finals) is also being reconsidered after too many domestic matchups last season.

As of now, no final decisions have been made on these changes.

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Law Adjustments for 2025/26

• IFAB 2025/26 Laws of the Game apply across the competition.
  
• Referees may now announce VAR reviews audibly in the stadium.
  
• Minor clarifications on goalkeeper positioning and procedure are introduced, but no changes to offside or handball interpretations.

Quick Summary: What’s New in 2025/26?

Item	2024/25	2025/26 (Current)
Teams in League Phase	36	36
Format	Swiss System	Swiss System
Matches per Team	8	8
Substitutions	5 (+1 in ET)	5 (+1 in ET)
VAR Coverage	All matches	From Qualifying Round 1
Knockout Structure	Home-leg advantage	Home-leg advantage
Country Protection	Under discussion	Still under review
Extra Time Rules	Traditional	Reform under consideration

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