- The revamped Champions League has some huge dates coming up over the next few months
- New league phase is entering its final rounds
- An extra playoff round will be played this season before the Round of 16
The UEFA Champions League has some huge matches coming up over the next few weeks and months. The newly introduced opening league phase is entering its final few decisive rounds and a new playoff round will follow it to decide who will join the top eight league teams in the Round of 16.
Matchday six takes place this coming week and several of Europe’s top teams desperately need three points to steer them to safety, including Paris Saint-Germain and current trophy holders Real Madrid.
The likes of Manchester City, Juventus and Bayern Munich could all also do with a victory to both avoid dropping closer to the dreaded bottom 12 and moving closer to the top eight, who secure a guaranteed spot in the Round of 16.
Europe’s top clubs are coveting those top eight spots so dearly because they also avoid a fixture congesting playoff round, which is what lies in store for those clubs who finish between ninth and 24th in the league table.
So, outside of the upcoming match day six, what are the other key Champions League dates we need to be looking out for between now and the end of the season?
Here’s a handy little list of dates for you diary:
21 AND 22 JANUARY, 2025: League Phase Match Day Seven
29 JANUARY: Final League Phase Games
11/12 AND 18/19 February:Knockout phase play-offs
4/5 AND 11/12 March: Round of 16
8/9 & 15/16 April: Quarter-finals
29/30 April & 6/7 May: Semi-finals
31 May: Final
The final will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, home of six-time champions Bayern, who currently find themselves staring down the barrel of a playoff round tie after an uneven first five games of their Champions League campaign. Will Vincent Kompany’s men be on home turf come 31 May, though?
