The latest Champions League reform plan is faring better than a failed club-driven proposal two years ago, though Europe’s top leagues said they have concerns after discussing it on Friday.
UEFA-led talks on approving changes for the 2024-25 season are steering away from a traditional group stage toward a single league table that gives all 36 teams 10 games each in a variation of the ‘Swiss System’ format created in chess tournaments.
That format promises to raise club prize money by giving UEFA 180 group-stage games to sell to broadcasters instead of the current 96.
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette, top, duels for the ball with Manchester United's Harry Maguire during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates stadium in London, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (Andy RainPool via AP)
It also needs to find four extra midweek slots in an already busy program for domestic leagues.
“The European Leagues have raised strong concerns about more matchdays of such a flexible system in an already very congested calendar,” the 30-nation group said after an online meeting.
Entry to the Champions League from domestic success is also key for the leagues, who want title winners in mid-ranking countries to get their chance on the biggest stage.
Tottenham's manager Jose Mourinho reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham and Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. (Clive RosePool via AP)
The UEFA proposal also suggests some of the extra four entries when the current 32-team format is expanded could go to teams based on their historic record in European competitions.
Rewarding teams based on their UEFA ranking would be a safety net for storied members of the influential European Club Association who do not qualify on merit.
European Leagues said its members “also questioned the possible impact of access (to UEFA competitions) as well as commercial components on the sporting and financial balance of domestic leagues.”
The leagues want more UEFA prize money — this season is worth almost 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) to the 32 Champions League teams — directed toward closing the wealth gap between clubs in European soccer.
Still, there is a more solid base for progress than the previous negotiations which collapsed 18 months ago.
“The vision based on the so-called ‘Swiss Model’ is an improvement compared to the more radical proposals that emerged in 2019,” the leagues said.
UEFA will brief its 55 member federations on Tuesday on the competitions proposal, which also affects the Europa League and the third-tier Europa Conference League that starts next season.
Agreement on the 2024-25 proposals are likely before UEFA's annual congress of members on April 20, to be held in Montreux, Switzerland.
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TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
