UEFA have confirmed their plans for a Champions League reform which are set to come into effect in the coming years, following the dramatic u-turn on a planned Super League.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all confirmed that they have pulled out of the closed-shop continental competition on Tuesday, following immense backlash.
The new proposals, heading up by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, were also been backed by La Liga's largest trio, as well as Juventus and both Milan clubs - but Atletico Madrid, Inter and AC have all since withdrawn.
In the background of this outrage, UEFA officially revealed their plans to reform the Champions League to a 36-team competition from 2024/25.
The new set-up will see an additional four team enter the system, with the biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage to a single league stage including all participating teams.
Every club will now be guaranteed a minimum of 10 league stage games against 10 different opponents (five home games, five away) rather than the previous six matches against three teams, played on a home and away basis.
The top eight sides in the league will qualify automatically for the knockout stage, while the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will compete in a two-legged play-off to secure their path to the last 16 of the competition.
On the new format, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: "This new format supports the status and future of the domestic game throughout Europe as well.
"It retains the principle that domestic performance should be the key to qualification and reconfirms the principles of solidarity right through the game and of open competition.
“This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel.
“Football is a social and cultural treasure, enriched with values, traditions and emotions shared across our continent. As the governing body and responsible stewards of the European game, it is UEFA’s role to safeguard this legacy while leading positive future development of football in Europe for national associations, leagues, clubs, players, and fans at every level.
"This is why we had an extensive consultation process over the last two years which led to the unanimous backing of our proposal and we are convinced that these reforms achieve those objectives”.
