Starting from the end of summer, football championships of the new season resume in most European countries. At the same time, international tournaments of different levels start. For football clubs, the most significant annual event is the UEFA Champions League.
Important features of the competition
This tournament began in 1955, and then it was called the European Champions Cup. One team from each country that won the national championship participated in it. An additional quota was allocated to the winner of the previous draw if he could not become the champion of his country.
But everything changed in the early 90s. First, second teams were allowed, then third and fourth from the five leading championships. For championships with weaker coefficients, three, two or one team are allowed.
Among other features, it is worth highlighting:
- First, four stages of qualifying matches are organized, in which the weakest clubs participate first, then the stronger and third-fourth teams from the strongest championships.
- Those who qualify form a common group, where each team plays 8 matches against opponents selected by lot. Half of the games are played away, half at home.
After the games, the tournament table is determined and the first 16 go to the playoffs. Here, a draw is held at each stage and two matches are played. The final consists of one game.
Characteristics of the competition
The record holder for victories is Real Madrid, which has won the trophy 14 times. The second in titles, Italian Milan, has 7 victories in its collection. Team captain Paolo Maldini became the oldest footballer to win the League at the age of 39 years and 239 days.
Everyone remembers the recent confrontations between Messi and Ronaldo, among the modern stars, Mbappe, Bellingham, Holland and many other young footballers stand out. It is the onset of a new generation that is the modern feature of the tournament. Broadcasting rights are sold by official broadcasters that win the competition. Among them are TNT Sports (UK), CBS/Paramount+ (USA) and Sony LIV (India). National companies in other countries broadcast similarly. These can be streaming services or regular TV companies. All broadcasts for viewers are conducted on paid channels, because the cost of rights is high and grows every year. Such factors are associated with the high level of football, the attraction of the strongest teams and leading stars.