Champions League changes explained: Swiss model, how it works, impact on Man United and Man City

There is nothing quite like a Champions League night that is always full of glitz and glamour. The anthem, the crowds, the anticipation, the world's best stars flocking to the continental scene for fans across the world to gawp at in awe. There really is no occasion like it.

Of course, there is a select group of teams that almost always qualify for the group stages. Real Madrid have done so consistently since the mid-90's, Juventus and Manchester City have been on a similar streak for a decade, and Barcelona have landed in the draw for 20 years. And, whilst the Champions League can be a closed book in terms of certain teams rarely making the grade to face worldwide giants such as the aforementioned, the chance to play at those historic stadiums is generally what has fans continuing to dream year in, year out.

So with that in mind, many will be delighted to hear that the Champions League is being expanded from 32 to 36 teams for the start of the 2024 season - affording other teams from the continental a chance to play Europe's elite. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin stated upon the new proposal that the evolved format "will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch, and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel."

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But just how will such a competition work in the long-term? Manchester Evening News details how you will now see your favourite team or selected underdog navigate the competition.

As already mentioned, the main change is that the