A Turkish twist to European competitions! Here’s the match schedule and format…

Meritking News29/08/2024

0 0 2 minutes read

UEFA Announces New Format for 2024-2025 Season: Group Matches Replaced by League Format

Starting from the 2024-2025 season, UEFA will introduce a new format for its competitions, replacing the traditional group stage matches with a league system in the first round.

Representing Turkey, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray will participate in the UEFA Europa League, while Rams Başakşehir will compete in the UEFA Conference League. With four Turkish teams in UEFA competitions, new adjustments will be required for match days.

MATCHES TO BE PLAYED ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND THURSDAYS

UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League matches, traditionally held on Thursdays, may be moved to earlier days if teams from the same city are scheduled to play on the same day. If multiple Istanbul teams have home matches in the same week, the games can be played on Wednesdays or even Tuesdays.

TURKISH TEAMS WILL NOT FACE EACH OTHER IN THE FIRST ROUND

According to UEFA rules, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, and Galatasaray will not face each other in the first round of the UEFA Europa League. The three teams will enter the draw from different pots: Fenerbahçe from Pot 2, Galatasaray from Pot 3, and Beşiktaş from Pot 4. They will avoid each other in the league-format first round but may potentially meet from the Round of 16 onwards.

In the revised format, the number of teams in each tournament will increase from 32 to 36. During the first round, each team will play eight matches — four at home and four away. The top eight teams will advance directly to the Round of 16.

Teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a play-off round to determine eight more teams advancing to the Round of 16. Teams finishing between 25th and 36th will be eliminated from European competition, with no opportunity to drop into a lower-tier tournament.

UEFA Europa League 2024/2025 Season Schedule:

• League Stage Draw: August 30, 2024

• Matchday 1: September 25-26, 2024

• Matchday 2: October 3, 2024

• Matchday 3: October 24, 2024

• Matchday 4: November 7, 2024

• Matchday 5: November 28, 2024

• Matchday 6: December 12, 2024

• Matchday 7: January 23, 2025

• Matchday 8: January 30, 2025

• Play-offs: February 13, 2025 / February 20, 2025

• Round of 16: March 6, 2025 / March 13, 2025