The UEFA Champions League 2024/25 season has ushered in transformative changes, igniting excitement among football fans across Europe. This season features 36 teams instead of the previous 32, making for more thrilling matchups and heightened competition. Teams from Germany have much at stake, with five Bundesliga clubs participating: Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig.
The new format eliminates the familiar group stage and introduces a single league table where all teams compete against one another. From this expanded field, the top eight teams will directly advance to the knockout rounds, with teams ranked 9th to 24th entering playoff matches for additional spots.
Fans gearing up for the climax of the league phase will have the chance to watch all the action live, even if they have to pay for it. The broadcasting rights for the Champions League for the 2024/25 season, extending through the 2026/27 season, will not include free broadcasting options. Instead, viewers can catch match highlights on ZDF, but the complete matches will be available exclusively through paid platforms.
DAZN will dominate the broadcast scene, taking responsibility for the majority of the matches. With the rights to 186 out of 203 games, DAZN assures subscribers they won’t miss any of the electrifying moments. The DAZN Unlimited subscription costs €44.99 per month, or €34.99 with an annual commitment. This offering delivers access not only to Champions League games but also to many other football competitions and sports events.
Amazon Prime Video has also secured certain broadcasting rights, showcasing 17 matches throughout the season, particularly on Tuesdays. Viewers can expect to see key matches, including their first pick of Tuesday night games. For those interested, Amazon Prime subscriptions start as low as €8.99 per month or for €89 annually, which also includes access to other entertainment content.
To top it all off, the last matchday of the league phase on January 29, 2025, is poised to be particularly thrilling. Given the structure of this year's competition, all teams will play at the same time, ensuring fans experience the season's climax simultaneously.
Here’s the lineup for January 29:
- VfB Stuttgart vs. Paris Saint-Germain at 21:00 on DAZN
- FC Bayern Munich vs. Slovan Bratislava at 21:00 on DAZN
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donetsk at 21:00 on DAZN
- RB Leipzig vs. Sturm Graz at 21:00 on DAZN
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Sparta Prague at 21:00 on DAZN
The results of these matchups will be pivotal, particularly for clubs vying for the knockout stages. Bayern and Dortmund, listed as 15th and 14th respectively, need favorable outcomes along with support from other matches to avoid playoff games. Bayer Leverkusen, sitting eighth, has their fate clearly within reach against Sparta Prague.
This year, the excitement is compounded by logistical challenges faced by broadcasters, particularly DAZN, as they prepare for the unprecedented scale of simultaneous matches. Program leaders have indicated preparations began well before the season kicked off, noting they aimed to create the most extensive and engaging conference experience for fans, dedicated primarily to the games involving German clubs.
Overall, the revamped Champions League format promises to deliver drama and thousands of minutes of football. By subscribing to DAZN or Amazon Prime, fans can catch every moment as history is made on the pitch. The tournament culminates on May 31, 2025, with the final held in Munich, offering yet another highlight to anticipate during this landmark season.
With changes aimed at enhancing the competitive nature of the Champions League and integrating modern viewing habits, this season is shaping up to be one for the records.