What happens to teams finishing 9th to 24th in the new format?

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Teams Finishing Ninth to 24th Will Enter a Play-Off Round

In the revamped Champions League format commencing in the 2024/25 season, teams that secure positions between ninth and 24th place in the single league phase will be required to compete in a two-legged play-off round. This play-off stage is designed to determine which of these teams will advance to the last 16 of the competition.
Play-Off Mechanism for Last 16 Qualification

The objective of the play-off round is to allocate berths in the knockout stage of the Champions League. Teams finishing in the aforementioned positions will face each other in these play-offs, with the victors progressing to join the top eight automatic qualifiers in the round of 16. This ensures a competitive pathway for a broader range of clubs to reach the latter stages of the tournament.
League Phase Structure and Qualification

The new format replaces the traditional group stage with a single league comprising 36 teams. Each team will play a total of eight matches, consisting of four home and four away fixtures. The top eight teams in this league will automatically qualify for the knockout phase, bypassing the play-off round entirely.
Rationale Behind the Format Changes

These reforms, unanimously approved by Uefa's executive board, aim to enhance competitive balance and generate increased revenue for distribution across clubs, leagues, and grassroots football. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin expressed confidence that the new structure strikes the right balance and addresses concerns that might have led to the emergence of alternative competitions, such as the proposed Super League.

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What happens to teams finishing 9th to 24th in the new format?

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