Champions League Playoff Draw: Fenerbahçe Set for Clash with Slavia Prague or Union SG
In the UEFA Champions League, if Fenerbahçe overcomes Lille in the 3rd qualifying round, they will face the winner of the Slavia Prague-Union SG tie in the playoff round. The yellow and navy blues will play their first match on August 20 or 21.
The draw for the playoff round of the Champions League, Europe’s top club competition, has been made.
In the draw held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Fenerbahçe’s potential playoff opponent was determined.
If Fenerbahçe advances past Lille in the 3rd qualifying round, they will face the winner of the Slavia Prague – Union SG tie in the playoff round.
Match Schedule
If the yellow and navy blues eliminate Lille and reach the playoffs, they will play their first match of this round on August 20 or 21.
The return legs of this round will be played on August 27-28.
If Fenerbahçe advances through the playoffs, they will reach the league stage of the Champions League.
New Format for the Champions League
This season, a new format will be applied in the UEFA Champions League. The tournament, which previously featured 32 teams, will now be held with 36 teams.
In the new league format replacing the group stage, teams will initially play 8 matches.
After 8 matches, the top 8 teams will advance to the round of 16.
Teams ranked between 9th and 24th will play in a playoff to reach the round of 16.
Champions League Fixture
The Champions League season will start on September 17. The final of Europe’s top club competition will be played on May 31 at Allianz Arena.
The 2024/25 Champions League schedule is as follows:
- League stage draw: August 29, 2024
- Matchday 1: September 17-19, 2024
- Matchday 2: October 1-2, 2024
- Matchday 3: October 22-23, 2024
- Matchday 4: November 5-6, 2024
- Matchday 5: November 26-27, 2024
- Matchday 6: December 10-11, 2024
- Matchday 7: January 21-22, 2025
- Matchday 8: January 29, 2025
- Playoff: February 11-12, 2025 / February 18-19, 2025
- Round of 16: March 4-5, 2025 / March 11-12, 2025
- Quarterfinals: April 8-9, 2025 / April 15-16, 2025
- Semifinals: April 29-30, 2025 / May 6-7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025
The draw for the playoff round following the league stage of the Champions League will be held on January 31, and the draws for the subsequent rounds will take place on February 21.
Format Change in the Draw
This year, the draw for the league stage of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League will be determined using special software.
According to a statement from UEFA, special software will be used in the draw to be held on August 29-30.
Based on the UEFA coefficient system, teams will be divided into 4 pots for the Champions League and Europa League and 6 pots for the Conference League.
The draw will proceed from the first pot to the fourth pot, with teams from each pot being paired with 2 opponents.
The new system will ensure that matchups are made randomly without any conflicts, considering criteria such as country protection and the rule that no more than two clubs from the same country can be paired together.
The software will also decide on the home and away matches. To avoid scheduling conflicts, match dates and kick-off times will be announced on August 31.
