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The UEFA Champions League is set to adopt a new automated draw system this season, scrapping its usual procedure. This coincides with the new format set to start from the 2024-25 season, consisting of 36 teams.
There will be four groups of nine teams, meaning each team will play eight games, which will be equally divided home and away. The teams will now be drawn in a unique format, with the names divided into four bowls.
The top nine teams with the highest coefficient will be in the first pot, the next nine best teams in the second, and so on. Each team will play against two teams from every bowl. That indicates that the competition will see more fiery games this season as bowl one teams will also play two teams from the same pot.
One ball will be drawn from each pot manually and then their names will come up on the screen. On pressing a button, automated software will design all of their games in the group stages. The procedure will continue until all the fixtures for the 36 teams have been decided.
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 draw is set to take place in Monte Carlo on August 30. The entire schedule will be announced a day later, on August 31. This is to ensure the calendar doesn't clash with other teams playing in UEFA competitions like the Conference League and the Europa League.
Ernst & Young, more commonly known as the EY, are the external auditors for the draw. They will also monitor and provide a review of the new digital draw system.
Who are the current UEFA Champions League title holders?
Real Madrid are the current UEFA Champions League title holders, having won the competition in 2023-24. They beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley to lift the UCL a record-extending 15th time.
Los Blancos beat RB Leipzig, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages (in order) to reach the finals. A 2-0 win against Dortmund in the final got the job done for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
The Spanish giants will once again be among the favorites to win the title. The likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and others are also omnipresent in the equation. The new format could also see other teams benefit in this season's UEFA Champions League.
