The UEFA has revamped its major competitions, i.e. the Champions League, Europa League, and the Conference League, introducing significant changes in the tournament format. The new structure influences the total number of participating teams as well as the count of games along with prize money. Here’s reviewing the prospective pros and cons of these changes.
Pros:
- Increased competitiveness in games
The UEFA has removed the traditional group stage games by bringing in a single-league format where 36 teams must compete in eight games in the preliminary stage to remain in the top-24. Whilst each side gets more games to play with this, as compared to six group stage matches earlier, it will also cut down the inefficient dead rubber games that keep excitement afloat throughout the first round.
- Opportunities to a wider range of clubs
Taking 36 teams in both the Champions and the Europa leagues gives more spots to teams from across Europe, especially from the smaller competitions.
It also helps boost representation from the lesser-known footballing nations, whereas the playoff system giving mid-table teams in the league play a knockout rounds in the Europa and Conference leagues give such sides an extra opportunity to make it to the knockouts, furthering suspense in the competition.
- Higher Revenue for Clubs
The UEFA has increased the prize pool for the Champions League by nearly 25% to reach €2.5 billion, thus enabling the participating sides to earn greater sums from their involvement and subsequent results.
Smaller teams can revitalise their setups with this financial boost and intensify their quest of bridging the gap with the bigwigs, whereas greater number of matchdays result in higher sales of TV rights, bringing in more revenue into the partaking teams.
Cons:
- Risks of injury and fatigue
The expansion of matches in the Champions League, from 96 to 144 in the league stage, could end up overburdening the players, exposing them to more fatigue and injury concerns in an already jam-packed footballing calendar. Teams with leaner squads could struggle to catch up with the increased game load, thereby negatively influencing their results in their respective domestic leagues too.
- Potential Devaluation of Domestic Leagues
Domestic competitions continue to be the forefront priority for a vast chunk of teams, however, the renewed European competitions structure could drive the focus away from them. It could lead in lesser importance to national leagues from all concerned stakeholders, thereby impacting both the competitiveness as well as the relevance of these competitions in modern-day football.
- Scheduling Concerns
The new format will see European matches take place in January for the first time, thus complicating the scheduling process for national clubs and the domestic leagues. Teams could struggle to balance their interests in all competitions, and the squeezing of an already dense schedule could even make certain in-form teams peak way too early in the season, with the legs of their squad wearing out by the time the business end approaches.
Whilst the UEFA has tried to make the leagues more dynamic with better financial rewards, concerns remain over its sustainability. It’s important to keep packaging tournaments in newer ways to bring in more audiences and keep stimulating the existing fan-base too. However, the success of the tournament will eventually come down to how the teams and players adapt to the new rules.
