The format of the UEFA Champions League goes through its biggest changes for almost two decades in the 2024/25 season.
For a start, the current tournament begins with a "league phase" instead of the traditional group stage. All 36 teams are ranked together in one league table where only the top eight automatically move on to knockout rounds. Now, there are eight matchdays during this phase compared to six matchdays found in previous group stage formats. The final constitution of the Round of 16 will only be determined by mid-February when playoffs for the last eight spots come into place.
But what does this new format mean for match kick-off times? Here are some facts you should know.
UEFA Champions League Kick-off Times
In the 2024/25 season, Champions League matches are generally held at either one of two-time slots within both league phase and knock-out rounds: 6:45 p.m. CET (Central European Time) or 9:00 p.m. CET.
Kickoff Times in the League Phase
All league matches kick off at either 6:45 p.m. CET or 9:00 p.m. CET, according to UEFA regulations. On the earlier time slot, Tuesday boasts two games while Wednesday has two in a row before the rest of the matches that are played later which take place at 9 p.m. Central European Time (CET). Two matches will also be played at 6:45 on Thursday during the first match day of the 2024/25 season. For fair play, all football matches on the last matchday of the league stage will start together at 9 o’clock in evening Central European Time (CET) on Wednesday, January 29.
This is how these timings convert to major world clocks
Champions League League Phase Kickoff Times 2024/25
6:45 p.m. CET kickoff time | 9 p.m. CET kickoff time | |
USA | 12:45 p.m. ET | 3:00 p.m. ET |
Canada | 12:45 p.m. ET | 3:00 p.m. ET |
UK | 5:45 p.m. BST | 8:00 p.m. BST |
Australia | 2:30 a.m. AEDT | 5:00 a.m. AEDT |
India | 10:15 p.m. IST | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Champions League knockout phase kickoff times 2024/25
Round of 16:
6:45 p.m. CET kickoff time | 9 p.m. CET kickoff time | |
USA | 12:45 p.m. ET | 3:00 p.m. ET |
Canada | 12:45 p.m. ET | 3:00 p.m. ET |
UK | 5:45 p.m. BST | 8:00 p.m. BST |
Australia | 2:30 a.m. AEDT | 5:00 a.m. AEDT |
India | 10:15 p.m. IST | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Quarterfinals, semifinals, and final:
9 p.m. CET kickoff time | |
USA | 3:00 p.m. ET |
Canada | 3:00 p.m. ET |
UK | 8:00 p.m. BST |
Australia | 5:00 a.m. AEDT |
India | 12:30 a.m. IST |
How to Buy Champions League Tickets 2024/25
Except for the finals, UEFA does not sell tickets directly for Champions League matches. Instead, its participating clubs take charge of ticket sales, allowing fans to buy them conventionally as they would for domestic matches.
For those who want Champion League tickets after the first release, many secondary markets like StubHub International allow people to buy these tickets.
