UEFA may consider ‘Final 8’ for Champions League after 2025

By Elijah Odetokun

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says the single-game knockout format, used in the Champions League this year from the quarter-final onwards, may be revisited after the 2024/25 season.

He spoke in an interview with Reuters. The format was changed in order to allow for the completion of the competition after the coronavirus pandemic break.

The format has produced quality matches with lots of goals, and all matches ending within 90 minutes.

“We were forced to do it but in the end we saw that we found out something new. So we will think about it in the future for sure, not so much tactics.

If it is one match, if one team scores then the other has to score as soon as possible.

If it is a two legged system then there is still time to win the next match.

“More exciting matches for sure but of course we also have to think about the fact that we have less matches and broadcasters (can) say ‘you don’t have as many matches as before, this is different’ so we will have to discuss when this crazy situation ends.” Ceferin said.

The makeshift tournament took place without fans in stadiums.

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The current format is under contract until 2024/2025 with broadcasters but discussions are due to begin later this year on the structure for the competition for the next phase.

UEFA has also held a similar tournament to complete the Europa League season and has held the finales to the UEFA Youth League and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.