UEFA President Alexander sephron football is always evolving and Europe's most prestigious competition the champions league is no different from this season a new format will be in play after UEFA approved the changes in May 2022 it is the first time since 1992 that Europe's Elite competition has seen such a revamp UEFA President Alexander sephron said qualification will be based on sporting Merit how to follow the champions league on the BBC the BBC will show highlights of the Champions League this season season for the next 3 years from 2200 hours BST on the Wednesday of Champions League match weeks there will be match by match highlights available on BBC a player and the BBC sport website and app plus a highlight show on BBC 1 at 2240 there will also be Clips online and on social media as well as live text commentary for all match weeks on the BBC sport website what is the new Champions League format and how does it work the Champions League group stage is currently set up with 32 teams in eight groups of four with the top two sides from those groups qualifying for the last 16 however this format will be replaced by one League table where 36 clubs will participate in the new league phase giving four more sides the chance to compete clubs will no longer play three teams twice but will take on eight different sides with four home games and four away games to determine fixtures the teams will be ranked in four seating pots and each team will then be drawn to play two opponents from each of these pots they will play one match against a team from each pot at home and one away the draw for this season's group stage will take place on August 29th at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco how will The Knockout stages work teams who finish in the top eight will qualify automatically for the last 16 while those who place 9th to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout playoff for the chance to join them whoever finishes 25th or lower will be eliminated and will not be entered into the Europa League from the last 16 onwards the Champions League will continue to follow its existing format with the final taking place at a new venue