New Champions League rules: How 7 Premier League clubs could qualify

UEFA approved radical changes to the Champions League format earlier this week that will change up the competition from the 2024/25 season.

Firstly, the group stage will rise from 32 to 36 teams.

There had been plans to give two of those spots to clubs based on their previous European performance but that’s now been scrapped.

Instead, two of the four additional spaces will be awarded on the performance of a country’s clubs in Europe in the previous season.

If that rule was in place this season, the Premier League and the Dutch Eredivisie would receive those extra places which would be given to the club that finished one position below the current Champions League qualification slots.

Given that Premier League clubs often reach the latter stages of European competitions, it’s likely we will see five English clubs in the Champions League each season.

However, there’s a scenario where there could be as many as SEVEN.

According to ESPN’s Dale Johnson, there is no longer a cap on the number of teams from the same association that can enter the Champions League.

And there’s a scenario – albeit unlikely – in which seven English clubs will be in Europe’s elite competition.

Here’s an example of how it could happen:

1st. Man City2nd. Liverpool3rd. Man Utd4th. Spurs5th. Arsenal 6th. Chelsea (win the Champions League)7th. West Ham (win the Europa League)

The top four would naturally qualify for the Champions League via their league position. As would Chelsea for winning the Champions League and West Ham for winning the Europa League. But Arsenal would also qualify because of the performance of English clubs that season.

Remarkable.

As we say, unlikely but it’s possible.

We know that the Champions League group stages will have 36