By Anaya Raikar, Contributing Writer

Most of the world’s elite soccer players display their talent in the top league of European soccer, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)Champions League. The Champions League features exciting fixtures from the top clubs of the premier domestic leagues in European countries, including the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga, the French Ligue 1, and the German Bundesliga. 

From the tournament’s inception until the 2024-25 season, the Champions League used a tournament style similar to that of the FIFA World Cup. The format featured 32 clubs divided into eight groups. These groups were made on performance in the past year’s domestic leagues to ensure competitive balance. These clubs then participated in a group stage with six matches, leading to a traditional knockout stage. This year’s new format features 36 clubs instead and replaces the group-stage with a league style reminiscent of domestic leagues. Each club will play eight matches with fixtures determined by seeding and skill level. 

The fundamental difference between the previous format and that of this season is the increase in matches and the variability in fixtures. The new match-making system ensures that higher seeded teams are less likely to face each other until later in the season. Consider the recent Champions League match between Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, where Aston Villa won with a 1-0 result. This format means that traditionally lower seeded teams, like Aston Villa, have an opportunity to show their skills against the usual powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Additionally, broadening the eligible clubs from 32 to 36 supports teams that have struggled to progress into the Champions League.

Despite the excitement for more matches, there has been considerable pushback from professionals. Additional matches can contribute to player fatigue and injuries. Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently suffered a knee injury during a match that will take him off the lineup for the rest of the season. Rodri had said that players are close to striking against the new format as some are facing up to 85 games this season. He stated, “Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform in the highest level… It is too much.” The negative effects of excessive playing time on player performance and morale are already visible, and may worsen as the season progresses. 

The response to the new format from soccer fans seems to also be negative. First, an increase in games may not contribute to more excitement for fans. Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’25 said, “With more matches, there’s less excitement around each game as they matter less. I’d personally prefer fewer, more high-stakes games.” Many fans have also criticized the lack of additional compensation of players for these games, although club administrations profit. Gracie Zhou ’26 is “disappointed that players are getting injured due to the increased workload and corporate greed.” Ultimately, while the new format brings more games and opportunities for underdog teams, it risks undermining the quality of the competition by overloading players and diminishing excitement for fans.