Previously, the top eight teams in the League Phase were rewarded with the opportunity to play the second leg of their round of 16 ties at home. ..Continue Reading
However, in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, their League Phase ranking had no influence, as the fixtures were determined by an open draw.
According to reports, UEFA has now agreed to implement a new rule that will allow teams finishing higher in the League Phase to host the second leg throughout the knockout rounds.
This decision was made during a committee meeting ahead of the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
The competition underwent a significant format change this season, expanding to include a League Phase where the top eight teams automatically advanced to the last 16.
Teams finishing between ninth and 24th had to compete in a play-off, while the remaining clubs were eliminated.
Despite finishing lower than their opponents, PSG and Inter Milan were granted home advantage in the second leg of their semi-final ties against Arsenal and Barcelona.
Both teams capitalized on this advantage to reach the final.
Under the new rule, teams with higher League Phase rankings will host the second leg of their knockout ties.
If this regulation had been in place this season, Arsenal would have played Real Madrid and PSG at the Emirates Stadium in the second leg of their respective matchups.
Although the 2025/26 regulations have already been published, modifications can still be made if approved by the Executive Committee.
A virtual meeting will be held before the League Phase draw on August 28 to finalize the changes.
Discussions had initially explored the possibility of allowing higher-ranked teams to choose whether to play the second leg at home or away, but UEFA ultimately decided to grant them home advantage automatically.
These adjustments will impact clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham when they enter the competition next season, potentially influencing their strategies and performances in the knockout rounds.
