UEFA Executive Committee has approved the creation of a third club tournament: the scheme of all Euro Cups from 2021

03.12.2018 12:00

Photo by uefa.com

At a meeting in Dublin, the UEFA Executive Committee has approved the creation of a third European Cup since 2021.

On December 2, at a meeting in Dublin, the UEFA Executive Committee approved the creation of the third club tournament in the 2021-2024 cycle.

• The new tournament (working name - UEL2) will be held according to the same scheme as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. 32 teams will perform at the group stage.
• The format includes group stage (eight groups of four teams), 1/8 finals, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.
• There will be an extra round of playoffs before the 1/8 finals. It will feature second place in UEL2 groups and third place in Europa League groups.
• The new tournament involves 141 matches in 15 playing days - the same as it will be from 2021 in the Europa League.
• The winner of the new tournament will receive a ticket to the next Europa League tournament.
• The matches will take place on Thursday. Thus, the matches of the Champions League will still be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Europa League and the new tournament - on Thursday. UEFA will consider adding a temporary session starting at 16.30 (Central European Time) for a limited number of matches.
• The finals of all club tournaments will be held in one week - on Wednesday (new tournament), Thursday (Europa League) and Saturday (Champions League).

The new tournament guarantees that at least 34 associations will be represented at the group stage of the European Cups (currently at least 26). It will be open to all national associations. All of them will keep the same total quotas as now.

UEFA President Alexander Cheferin said: “The new UEFA club tournament will make the European Cups more inclusive than ever before. More matches for more clubs, more associations in the group stages. The tournament grew out of a constant dialogue with clubs through the Association of European Clubs.

All clubs have expressed interest in increasing the chances of more regular participation in European Cups. This was made possible by a strategic approach. The result is in line with UEFA's task of raising the level and accessibility of our club tournaments in parallel. "

The UEFA Executive Committee has approved the format of the new tournament and the selection scheme. Increased guaranteed prizes for all Europa League clubs and the new tournament have also been ratified. A detailed scheme for the distribution of finances and joint and several payments, as well as other details (name (brand), odds system and commercial strategy) will be approved in 2019.

In the cycle of 2021-2024, the format of the Europa League will be brought in line with the format of the new tournament. An additional playoff round will be introduced before the 1/8 finals. It will meet the second places in the groups of the Europa League and the third places in the groups of the Champions League.

The format of the Champions League and the selection scheme will remain unchanged.

Detailed scheme of three European Cups in 2021-2024