A new format for the Women's Champions League and the creation of a second European competition has been given the green light by UEFA.
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New format for Women's Champions LeagueSecond European competition to be createdChanges to come in for 2025-26 seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
The UEFA Executive Committee met in Hamburg on Saturday to approve a new format for the UEFA Women's Champions League and the creation of a second European competition for women's clubs. The committee ruled that these changes will come into effect for the 2025-26 season. The revamped Champions League will consist of an 18-team league phase with three home and away matches followed by knock-out rounds.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
These changes will bring the women's game in line with the men's Champions League, which will use this 'Swiss model' format from next season – where there is one big group rather than multiple groups of four teams. The creation of a first-ever second European competition is another step in the development of women's football.
DID YOU KNOW?
The men's game has had a second tier European competition since 1971, in what was called the UEFA Cup and since 2009 has been called the Europa League.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
UEFA say full details on the aforementioned competitions' formats, access list and calendar will be announced on Monday, December 4.