Manchester City is gearing up for another shot at European glory in the 2024/25 Champions League, aiming to reclaim the title after a heartbreaking exit in last season’s semifinals, where they were knocked out on penalties by Real Madrid, who went on to lift the trophy.
This season marks a significant shift in the competition’s format. The traditional group stage has been replaced by a league phase, meaning City will have to navigate two additional matches in the opening round. Instead of the familiar four-team groups, they will face eight different opponents, with games split evenly between home and away fixtures.
In this new format, all teams will be ranked in a single league table. The top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout stage, while those finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two-legged knockout playoff for a spot in the Round of 16. Teams ranked 25th and below will be eliminated from European competition entirely.
When is the Champions League Draw?
The highly anticipated draw is set for Thursday, August 29, in Monaco at 5 p.m. UK time, where City will discover their opponents.
Who Could City Face?
City won’t face any clubs from the same national association more than twice during the league phase. This means they could be pitted against a range of top European clubs from various countries. The confirmed teams in the draw include:
- England: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Manchester City
- Scotland: Celtic
- Spain: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Girona, Real Madrid
- Germany: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Stuttgart
- Italy: AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Inter, Juventus
- France: Brest, AS Monaco, PSG
- Portugal: Benfica, Sporting Lisbon
- Netherlands: Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven
- Austria: Sturm Graz
- Belgium: Club Brugge
- Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk
The final seven spots in the league phase will be determined by the ongoing play-offs.
When are the Matches?
Here are the key dates for City’s Champions League fixtures this season:
- Matchday 1: September 17-19
- Matchday 2: October 1-2
- Matchday 3: October 22-23
- Matchday 4: November 5-6
- Matchday 5: November 26-27
- Matchday 6: December 10-11
- Matchday 7: January 21-22
- Matchday 8: January 29
How Can I Follow the Draw?
The Champions League draw will be streamed live by UEFA, with coverage also available on the BBC and TNT Sports. Additionally, MEN Sport will offer in-depth analysis and a live blog during the draw to keep fans updated on all developments.
