UEFA rebellious vote for Champions League renewal despite threat from European Super League

The UEFA Executive Committee has responded to the threat of an escaping European Super League (ESL) by unanimously voting to approve the new Champions League with 36 teams.

During a vote in Montreux, Switzerland, the executive committee passed a resolution on Monday to expand the Champions League from its current 32-team format with the re-designed tournament, which kicks off at the start of the 2024-25 season.

BVB CEO: Bayern, Dortmund reject Super League
– Sir Alex: Super League a ‘move away’ from history
– Super League initiates legal action after threats

With the change, each club will play 10 group matches instead of six, before moving on to a 16-team knockout system in the second half of the season.

Sources told ESPN that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was among those who voted, with the French champions not involved in the ESL plan.

UEFA had been pressured to make the Champions League more lucrative for participating clubs, but with 12 of Europe’s leading teams announcing on Sunday that they have plans to establish the ESL, it is unclear whether the new tournament will involve those parties try to form their own separate league.

UEFA chairman Aleksander Ceferin will speak publicly on Monday at 2.30 p.m. CET about the changes to the Champions League and the threat of a breakaway competition.

Source