Women's Champions League: Tournament format from season 2021/2022
As UAF has already reported, the UEFA Executive Committee at its meeting in Nyon made a crucial decision change format Women's Champions League and introduce centralized marketing.
According to UEFA's decision, a group stage of 16 teams is being introduced in the Women's Champions League, as well as centralized marketing and organization of telecasts. The changes were approved by the UEFA Executive Committee at a meeting in Nyon on December 4. This is the first practical application of UEFA's strategy for the development of women's football #TimeForAction, which aims to double the coverage and value of the Women's Champions League.
The number of matches will increase by 20%. Or 39%, if you do not take into account the first round, which is held in the format of mini-tournaments. Thus, in the competition there will be more matches between equal class rivals, their level will increase, they will become more attractive to spectators. UEFA has developed a new format in close cooperation with clubs and the Association of European Clubs. It will set a new standard for international competitions among women's clubs.
Major changes
The current stage of the 1/8 finals will be replaced by the group stage. In four groups of four teams, each team will play with each other at home and away. The top two will advance to the quarterfinals.
In the first season, with the new format, eight game days (two in the second round, four in the group stage and two in the quarterfinals) will be scheduled on such dates as not to overlap with other major football tournaments.
Top 6 Associations (According to UEFA Women's Club Rankings at the beginning of the previous season, ie for the summer of 2020 in the case of the season-2021/2022) will represent three teams, associations from the seventh to the 16th - two. All other associations (including Ukraine now) will be able to delegate one team - the national champion (as before).
The group stage will be preceded by two rounds, divided into the Champions' Path and the League's Path, as in the Men's Champions League. Due to this, at least 10 associations will be represented at the group stage. The first round will take place in the format of group mini-tournaments with semifinals, a match for third place and a final. In the second round, a pair of opponents will play matches at home and away.
Tournament format
All schedules are agreed with the 50 associations whose representatives participate in the Women's Champions League 2019/2020.
Distribution of vouchers
Vouchers for the group stage
The current trophy holder and the winners of the three strongest championships must get directly to the group stage.
Permits for the second round
Champions path: champions of national associations with a rating of 4-6.
The way of representatives of the league: silver medalists of national associations with a rating of 1-6.
Tickets to the first round
Champions path: champions of national associations with a rating of 7 and below.
The way of representatives of the league: silver medalists of national associations with a rating of 7-16, as well as bronze medalists of national associations with a rating of 1-6.
The way of the champions
First Round (August)
Champions starting from this round will be distributed in mini-tournaments.
The tournaments will be held in one place in the format of one-match semifinals, followed by a match for third place and the final.
The winners of the finals will advance to the second round.
Second Round (August / September)
Champions of associations with a rating of 4-6 and the winners of the first round will take part in the second round, where they will be divided into pairs and will play in the match at home and away.
Seven winners of the Way of Champions will advance to the group stage.
The way of representatives of the leagues
First Round (August)
Bronze winners of national associations with a rating of 1-6 and silver medalists of national associations with a rating of 7-16 will be divided into four mini-tournaments.
The tournaments will be held in one place in the format of semifinals, which will consist of one match, followed by a match for third place and the final.
The winners of the finals will advance to the second round.
Second Round (August / September)
The winners of the first round and the silver medalists of the national associations with a rating of 1-6 will continue to fight in the second round, where they will be divided into pairs and will play in the match at home and away.
The five winners of the Path of the League representatives will advance to the group stage.
Group stage (October, November, December)
At this stage, the winners of the second round will join the clubs that have automatic vouchers (the current trophy holder and champions of the first three associations in the ranking).
The 16 clubs will be divided into four groups of four teams.
In six rounds, each team in the group will play with each other at home and away.
The two best teams of each group will receive tickets to the quarterfinals.
Playoffs (March, April, May)
The format remains the same: two-match quarterfinals and semifinals, and then the final of one match in a pre-selected place. The final is scheduled to take place over the weekend a week before the Men's Champions League final.
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