The Champions League is back in action with a new format. But what are the requirements for the teams to advance to the competition's knockout stages?

This season, a new format in Europe has raised expectations, with clubs calculating how many points they would need under the new league phase structure in order to advance to the knockout stages.

This season there is a new 'Swiss-style' 36-league format instead of the customary eight groups of four, where the top two from each group advance to the final 16.

The top eight clubs in the league will automatically go to the round of 16, while the teams that position ninth through twenty-fourth will face each other in a two-leg play-off for a chance to advance to that round of the competition.

The 12 lowest-placed teams, which go from 25th to 36th, will be eliminated and denied entry into the Europa League.

So to avoid an early elimination - how many points do you need? And what about the number needed to skip the play-off round and finish in the top eight?

What is required of you to place among the top eight?

The Opta supercomputer predicts that 16 points out of a possible 24 would almost probably be sufficient to place in the top eight, which ensures a last-six slot in the New Year. That would be five victories and a draw from eight games, or alternative combinations.

Additionally, the data suggests that 15 points, or five victories from eight games, or other combinations, could be sufficient to smuggle into eighth place. In fact, 73% of Opta's 50,000 simulations of the league phase found that a point total of 15 was sufficient.

The largest teams will probably aim for the race to five wins because a top eight finish with fourteen points—four wins and two draws—is unlikely to be achievable.

How about making it to the play-offs?

Opta believes 10 points, or three wins and a draw, or other combinations, will very likely ensure you a berth in the next round if you finish in the top 24, which guarantees you a play-off spot at the very least.

It implies that the teams that win the first round of the Champions League will only need to secure a play-off spot with seven points from the remaining seven games.

Nine points, which equates to three victories from eight games or various combinations, could be sufficient to place 24th in 69% of the scenarios.

However, with only eight points—two victories and two draws, or any other combination—you run the risk of being eliminated, as only sixteen percent of the simulations find that point total to be sufficient.

To have the best chance of making it to the Champions League knockout stages, teams will aim for at least three victories out of eight games.

What dates are the league-stage matches in the 2024–25 Champions League?

First-round match: September 17–19, 2024
Second matchday: October 1, 2020
Third matchday: October 22, 23 (2020)
Fourth matchday: November 5, 6, 2024
November 26–27, 2024 is the fifth matchday.
Day 6 of the match: December 10–11, 2024
Seventh matchday: January 21–22, 2025
Day of the match: January 29, 2025

When are the Champions League knockout stages for 2024–2025?

Playoffs for the knockout round: February 11–12 and February 18–19, 2025
Round of 16: 2025 March 4–5 and March 11–12
Quarterfinals: 15/16 April, 2025; 8/9 April 2025
Final two rounds: April 29–30 and May 6–7, 2025
Final Date: May 31, 2025

In 2025, where will the Champions League final take place?

On May 31, 2025, the UEFA Champions League season of 2024–2025 will take place in Munich at the Allianz Arena.