UEFA Champions League Trophy
Image credit: Getty Images
UEFA has announced a major change to the Champions League knockout stage format, scrapping the random allocation of second-leg fixtures in response to criticism sparked by Arsenal’s experiences in the 2024/25 season.
Starting from the 2025/26 campaign, teams that finish higher in the league phase will now automatically host the second leg of any two-legged knockout tie. The reform will also apply to the Europa League, the Conference League, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The decision comes after a backlash over Arsenal’s knockout-stage scheduling last season. Despite finishing third in the league phase, the Gunners were drawn to play the second legs of both their quarter-final and semi-final away from home against Real Madrid (11th) and Paris Saint-Germain (15th), respectively.
While Arsenal comfortably beat Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, the random draw format came under fire after they were once again denied home advantage in the semi-final, where they lost 2-1 in Paris (3-1 on aggregate).
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Supporters and pundits widely criticised the system, arguing that Arsenal’s strong group-stage performance should have earned them the right to host decisive second-leg matches at the Emirates Stadium.
In a statement, UEFA defended the rule change as a move towards a more meritocratic format: “UEFA’s new policy introduces a fairer, merit-based system. Teams that excel in the league phase will now be rewarded with home advantage in the second leg, providing a clearer incentive for consistent performance,” a spokesperson said.
Arsenal Champions League
Arsenal played consecutive second-leg matches away against PSG and Real Madrid in the Champions League last season despite finishing above them in the group phase (Image credit: Getty Images)
In addition to this structural change, UEFA has introduced a dynamic seeding mechanism. Under this system, any lower-ranked team that eliminates a higher-seeded opponent will inherit their seeding in the next round. This aims to reward underdog success and create a more equitable path through the knockout rounds.
For example, if the revised rule had been in place last season, Arsenal would have hosted Real Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-finals and potentially PSG in the semi-finals, scenarios that could have altered the course of their campaign.
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Arsenal’s discontent with the previous format was well documented, with manager Mikel Arteta and club executives reportedly raising concerns with UEFA in the aftermath of their elimination.
While the reform has been broadly welcomed across European football, some critics caution that it could reinforce the advantage of traditionally stronger clubs with formidable home support. Nonetheless, the dynamic seeding element offers a significant opportunity for smaller clubs in the Champions League to benefit if they cause an upset, such as Real Madrid potentially inheriting Arsenal’s seeding had they advanced.
The changes mark a key shift in UEFA’s competition philosophy, placing greater emphasis on league-phase performance and merit-based rewards in the crucial stages of European tournaments.
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