The Champions League, or UEFA Cup as it was previously known, is one of the world’s most famous sporting competitions. The competition began as a tournament for national champions and has since expanded to showcase the finest clubs in European soccer. The prestigious championship features the highest quality of play and gives a club the chance to earn billions in prize money from global broadcasting and sponsorship deals.
The competition begins with a group stage, where teams compete against their rivals from across Europe. Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a defeat. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout round of 16 which runs through the winter.
After the group phase the field is whittled down over a series of two-legged matches until only four teams remain and the winner takes home the trophy. Champions League has produced some of the most epic and memorable moments in the sport’s history, with teams like Ajax, Milan and Bayern Munich winning the title multiple times each.
From the quarterfinal onwards, the draw for each tie is made randomly, although there are some limitations. For example, teams cannot be drawn against each other if they played in the same group in the previous round and teams from the same association may not be drawn against each other. The only exception is in the semifinals, when a draw is conducted to determine who will play the first leg at home.