UEFA scraps random second-leg allocation following Arsenal draws against Real Madrid and PSG.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
UEFA has confirmed a significant rule change to its Champions League knockout format, following criticism over last season’s scheduling that saw Arsenal denied home second legs despite finishing well above Real Madrid and PSG in the league phase.
From the 25/26 season onwards, the team that finishes higher in the league stage will automatically host the second leg of any two-legged knockout tie.
The rule will also apply to the Europa League, Conference League, and Women’s Champions League.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal scores his team's second goal past Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Last season, home advantage in the latter stages of UEFA competitions was determined by a random draw, a system that came under heavy scrutiny when Arsenal, who finished third, were drawn to play the second leg of their quarter-final away to an 11th-placed Real Madrid side.
Arsenal made easy work of both legs, but questions were raised as to why the side with the stronger league performance was not rewarded with the benefit of hosting the second leg.
Then the same thing happened for the semi-final.
UEFA’s new policy introduces a dynamic seeding system. Should a lower-ranked team knock out a higher-seeded opponent, they will inherit their seeding position for subsequent rounds.
In practical terms, had the rule been in effect last season, Arsenal would have played the decisive leg against Real Madrid in north London, not that it mattered.
Had Madrid then progressed, they would have taken over Arsenal’s third-place seeding in the semi-finals, almost guaranteeing a home second leg.
Instead, Arsenal were again drawn at home in the first leg of the semi-final against PSG, despite them finishing even lower than Real Madrid in 15th. A home second leg tie here might have made all the difference.
Although UEFA did not explicitly name the Arsenal-Real Madrid nor Arsenal-PSG fixtures as the trigger for the change, the implications are clear.
Arsenal were understood to be frustrated by the process, particularly given their strong showing in the league phase.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin framed the amendment as part of a wider effort to refine the competition’s format, now heading into its second year of the Swiss-style league system.
By removing chance from the draw, UEFA hopes to ensure that sporting merit, rather than randomness, determines key advantages in the knockout rounds.
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