The Executive Committee, UEFA’s highest body, held a meeting last week on the Croatian island of Hvar. There they discussed issues that will be on the agenda when they meet with clubs from the European Club Committee (ECA) in Istanbul this week. In such meetings, they often discuss how to manage interest in the Champions League in parts of the world other than Europe.
According to one of the issues for discussion the athlete The idea of hosting the Champions League matches outside the continent in which the tournament is currently held.
“An alternative supported by some of the strongest clubs in European football is to arrange Champions League matches outside the continent so that important matches can be made accessible to global fans,” the sports magazine wrote.
Surveys should show that there are many people in relevant markets who will start following more European football if big matches are added in their whereabouts.
Constantly looking for new markets
Paris Saint-Germain under President Nasser Al-Khelaifi was opposed to the Premier League, but it should be among those who support this idea. The names of several clubs are not mentioned in the article.
At the moment, there will be no concrete proposal on the table, but if the idea comes true, the USA, the Middle East and China are the current locations for future Champions League matches. UEFA and ECA are ready because the proposal will face opposition from fans, and there will initially be talk of moving matches in the group stage outside the continent – not the knockout rounds.
Perhaps the most feasible option would be to move the Super Cup final from Europe. There, the winner of the previous two editions of the Champions League and the European League meets in one match on neutral ground. UEFA will also consider whether they want to make the Super Cup a warm-up tournament between four teams instead of today’s two.
At this week’s meeting, Formula 1 Director Stefano Domenicali will come and tell us how they have been able to increase interest in the sport in the American market.
“Sources close to the meetings say that it is not dangerous to discuss ideas, and that the meetings between UEFA and the ECA are an opportunity to find new business ideas that can generate more profits in the wake of the pandemic.”
Starting from the 2024/25 season, the Champions League will have a new kit, with the model discussed. At the same time that they go from 32 to 36 teams, they are moving away from traditional multiplayer. Instead, it will play ten matches in the opening round – five away matches and five at home. The top eight go straight to the last 16, while the next 16 in the table settle into the last eight.
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