UEFA Set to Revise Champions League Rules After PSG Triumph

Following PSG’s dominant Champions League victory, UEFA is preparing to introduce a major change to the tournament format starting next season. The adjustment comes amid growing concerns about fairness in the revamped structure, especially after Arsenal’s controversial exit.

Champions League Format Under Fire

This past season marked the debut of the Champions League’s new league-style format. Under the current system, the top 8 teams after the group-phase ranking advanced directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 16th had to compete in a playoff round. However, the only benefit for the top 8 was this direct qualification—no additional advantages were granted, link live lương sơn tv.

Many fans and analysts considered this unfair, arguing that high-performing teams should receive more meaningful rewards.

New Rule: Second Leg Advantage for Top 8 Teams

In response, UEFA has decided to implement a key change: starting from the 2025/26 season, all teams finishing in the top 8 after the ranking phase will automatically play the second leg of their knockout ties at home.

This home-leg advantage is widely considered a significant tactical and psychological edge, especially in tightly contested knockout rounds.

Arsenal and Barcelona’s Disadvantage Sparked Debate

Both Arsenal and Barcelona finished in the top 8 during the ranking phase this season. However, in the semifinals, they were forced to play the second leg away from home—Arsenal against PSG and Barcelona against Dortmund. Both teams were eliminated, leading to outcry over the lack of advantage for higher-ranked sides.

Playing the decisive leg away often shifts momentum in favor of the lower-ranked team, something UEFA now aims to correct.

What the New Rule Means

UEFA’s upcoming changes will include:

• Teams finishing in the top 8 of the league phase will play the second leg of knockout matches at home
  
• This rule is expected to apply not only to the Champions League but also to the Europa League and the Conference League
  
• Although the change has been agreed upon during pre-final meetings, it still requires official approval from the UEFA Executive Committee
  
• A final decision is expected by September, and UEFA may hold an online session before the playoff draw on August 28 to confirm the rule
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A Fairer Path for Stronger Teams

This season, Arsenal hosted the second leg against PSV in the Round of 16 but had to travel to Madrid and Paris for the quarterfinals and semifinals—both away legs ended in elimination. The inconsistency in scheduling clearly affected outcomes and highlighted the need for reform.

With this new adjustment, UEFA aims to ensure that top-performing teams are better rewarded and that knockout matches become more balanced and thrilling. The second-leg home advantage will now reflect the effort and results earned in the ranking phase.