As the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 season kicks off, football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of Europe’s most prestigious club competition. Tonight marks the beginning of the new league phase format, featuring an expanded 36-team lineup, a significant change from the traditional 32-team group stage. This revamped structure promises to deliver more high-stakes matches and create additional pathways for clubs to progress in the tournament.
With powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan set to clash with emerging talents and ambitious underdogs, the stage is set for an exhilarating night of football across the continent. The expanded format means that each team will play eight matches against different opponents in this initial phase, creating a more diverse and challenging competition.
From the iconic Allianz Stadium in Turin, where Juventus will host PSV Eindhoven, to the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, where Real Madrid faces VfB Stuttgart, historic venues across Europe will be buzzing with excitement. These stadiums will come alive with the unmistakable Champions League anthem, a piece that has become synonymous with the tournament’s prestige and drama.
The anthem will once again set hearts racing as it signals the start of another thrilling campaign. Its powerful chorus, sung in UEFA’s three official languages, encapsulates the multinational spirit of the competition.
As the music swells and the teams line up, fans both in the stadiums and watching around the world will feel the familiar surge of anticipation, knowing that they’re about to witness some of the best football the sport has to offer.
| Time (GMT) | Home Team | Away Team | Venue | TV Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17:45 | Juventus | PSV Eindhoven | Allianz Stadium, Turin | TNT Sports 2 |
| 17:45 | Young Boys | Aston Villa | Stadion Wankdorf, Bern | TNT Sports 1 |
| 20:00 | AC Milan | Liverpool | San Siro, Milan | Amazon Prime Video |
| 20:00 | Bayern Munich | Dinamo Zagreb | Allianz Arena, Munich | TNT Sports 2 |
| 20:00 | Real Madrid | VfB Stuttgart | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | TNT Sports 1 |
| 20:00 | Sporting CP | Lille | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon | TNT Sports 4 |
All matches will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK. As this new format unfolds, each team will play a total of eight matches in this league phase, setting the stage for an extended and more competitive group stage experience.
Further Reading
[1] https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d82037aaedd-f371c464f919-1000–where-to-watch-the-uefa-champions-league-tv-broadcast-partne/
[2] https://www.live-footballontv.com/live-champions-league-football-on-tv.html
[3] https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-champions-league-football-on-tv/
[4] https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/football/champions-league-2024-25-tv-schedule/
[5] https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/champions-league-tv-tnt-sports-amazon-prime-b2613550.html