UEFA Champions League

UEFA Champions League also known as Champions League is an annual club level Football Competition between European Club Football Teams organized by Union of European Football Association (UEFA). Every year, millions of football fans watch this tournament either live in ground or on their Television Screen at home. Champions League 2012-13 Tournament was the most watched tournament with 360 million TV viewers.

By 1992, Champion Club from each European country started it’s journey straight from Knock-out round. However in mid 90s, the tournament was expanded, and a round-robin group stage was introduced with the arrival of more teams. Now 4 teams from Europe’s strongest Football League can participate in Champions League, and will provide upto five teams from 2015-16 season.

Season:

Champions League starts in the mid of July every year, initially the season starts with three knockout qualifying rounds followed by a playoff round. From here top 10 teams get permission to join already qualified 22 teams.

UEFA Champions League Group Stage:

Group Stage includes 22 already qualified Club Teams and Top 10 Club Teams of 3 Knockout Qualifying Rounds. The 32 teams are drawn into 8 different groups of 4 teams to play each other in a double round robin system. The team with third ranking qualifies for UEFA Europa League.

Group of 16:

Eight top teams of Group Stage are seeded with eight Runners-up unseeded.

Quarter Finals:

At this stage, pairings are determined via open draw to enter in Semi Final Stage.

Semi Finals:

Semi Final pairings are determined via open draw. No teams are seeded, while clubs from same country can be drawn against each other. According to rules, the team drawn first will play the first leg at home.

Final:

Final decide the Champion of Tournament. Two winner teams from Semi Finals meet each other in Grand Final of Champions League.

Prize Money:

The winner of Champions League is provided by €10,500,000 cash money and trophy. Runners-up gets €6,500,000.