Due to the new format of European Cups, a manual draw procedure would take several hours
Since the season 2024/25draw UEFA Champions League will conduct computer. The reason is the new format of European cups.
Let us remind you that from the new season, European cups – in particular the Champions League – will be held according to Swiss system with one general standings per 36 teams. Each will play eight matches at this stage (four at home, four away). Based on the results of the group tournament, the first eight teams will advance to the 1/8 finals. Teams from ninth to 24th places inclusive will advance to the play-off round, in which eight more participants in the 1/8 finals will be determined. Teams from 25th to 36th places in the standings will not qualify from the group.
As for the group stage opponents, the teams will be divided into four “pots” of nine teams each, based on the UEFA club rankings over the past five years. Each team will play with two representatives from each basket, including their own. Teams from the same country will not play each other in the group stage.
Accordingly, the new format requires a new approach to the draw. Doing this manually, as before, is impractical. The ceremony, due to the variety of options, will require about 900 balloons and will take at least four hours.
Instead, a new method will be used: each club will be selected manually, and then the computer will take over, automatically selecting eight opponents from all the baskets and determining the order of matches (home/away). The new hybrid draw is estimated to take approximately 35 minutes.
In addition to the starting procedure, two more draws for the playoff stage will be held during the season: one at the end of January at the end of the group stage, the second at the end of February for the 1/8 finals stage. In this case, the entire draw will be scheduled before the final, and will not be required for later draws.
UEFA assures that the reliability of the computer systems that will be used for the draw procedure has been verified by the British audit and consulting company Ernst & Young.
Source: Sportarena
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