{"id":6644,"date":"2022-03-23T09:58:19","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T09:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/?p=6644"},"modified":"2022-11-18T14:35:24","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T14:35:24","slug":"uefa-champions-league-restructure-what-impact-will-it-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/uefa-champions-league-restructure-what-impact-will-it-have\/","title":{"rendered":"UEFA Champions League Restructure: What impact will it have?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-2  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  thought-leadership-heading '><div class ='av-subheading av-subheading_above  ' style='font-size:15px;'><p>Thought Leadership<\/p>\n<\/div><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >UEFA Champions League Restructure: What impact will it have? <\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  av_inherit_color '  style='color:#80808a; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><h4><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 11<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">MIN READ<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-author '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h3><strong>By Omar Chaudhuri &amp; Ben Marlow<\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>March 23, 2022<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  style='height:5px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-8  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><p><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-9  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-7685 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-7685 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-scaled.jpg\" alt='' title='GettyImages-1242722761-min' height=\"1707\" width=\"2560\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-1030x687.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/GettyImages-1242722761-min-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<div  style='height:5px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_image  avia-builder-el-last '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-share '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h3>Thought Leadership<\/h3>\n<p>Inspired by what you&#8217;re reading? Why not subscribe for regular insights delivered straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-left  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock ' ><a href='https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/contact\/news-signup\/'  class='avia-button  avia-color-theme-color   avia-icon_select-no avia-size-small avia-position-left '   ><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Subscribe<\/span><\/a><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><hr \/>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='av-social-sharing-box  avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  '><div class='av-share-box'><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this story<\/h5><ul class='av-share-box-list noLightbox'><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href='https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/uefa-champions-league-restructure-what-impact-will-it-have\/&#038;t=UEFA%20Champions%20League%20Restructure%3A%20What%20impact%20will%20it%20have%3F' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f3' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Facebook' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-twitter' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=UEFA%20Champions%20League%20Restructure%3A%20What%20impact%20will%20it%20have%3F&#038;url=https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/?p=6644' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f1' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Twitter' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-linkedin' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn\" href='https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;title=UEFA%20Champions%20League%20Restructure%3A%20What%20impact%20will%20it%20have%3F&#038;url=https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/uefa-champions-league-restructure-what-impact-will-it-have\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8fc' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on LinkedIn' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 2024, the UEFA Champions League will undergo its most significant format change since the rebranding of the competition in 1992, moving to a \u2018Swiss-style\u2019 group stage before the knockout stages. Much of the commentary around the reforms has focused on the increased volume of matches, with 36 teams in a single group now playing 10 group stage games each against 10 different opponents, generating 180 fixtures compared to the 96 today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From UEFA\u2019s perspective, the Swiss Model is a practical solution to fulfilling the objective of expanding the competition while still delivering a workable schedule. It enables flexibility in the number of matches played by each team, meaning that the size and length of the competition can be made to fit to the existing schedule, rather than the other way around. While the new competition, because of its increased size, is disruptive to domestic leagues, it is less disruptive than it would have been had the solution been to expand the competition using the existing structure by increasing group sizes or the number of groups.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Swiss model is clearly a pragmatic way to deliver an expanded UCL, but its long-term commercial success hinges on the extent to which the competition excites fans. At Twenty First Group we specialise in quantifying the drivers of fan interest and commercial value: <\/span><b>quality<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of players and teams, <\/span><b>jeopardy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of outcomes, and fan <\/span><b>connection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with the narratives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As shown by the TFG Flywheel below, the combination of increased quality, jeopardy and connection can lead to increased long term commercial value for rights holders, and this is something that UEFA will be hoping to maximise with the Champions League restructure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-19  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-21  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-22  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-5831 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-5831 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Chart-1-V3-Flywheel.gif\" alt='' title='Chart 1 V3 - Flywheel' height=\"1080\" width=\"1080\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-23  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-24  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-25  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We have used our Intelligence Engine to simulate and quantify the impact of the changes in the competition\u2019s ability to ignite the passion of fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-27  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-28  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-29  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b>Quality<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on how access to the competition is granted, the move to 36 teams will likely have a small but significant negative impact on the average quality of games in the group stages. However, a combination of implementing a playoff round and the increased number of matches for each individual team reduces the role of good or bad luck influencing a team\u2019s overall outcome, meaning that the cream has a slightly better chance of rising to the top. As a result, our modelling suggests that the quality of teams in the knockout rounds may increase marginally, though it remains to be seen how these clubs will manage their squads in light of an increased number of high-intensity matches throughout the season &#8211; increasing demands on the top players may result in greater rotation, negatively impacting on the average quality of teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-31  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-32  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-33  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-34  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-6650 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-6650 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/quality.png\" alt='' title='quality' height=\"554\" width=\"874\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/quality.png 874w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/quality-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/quality-768x487.png 768w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/quality-705x447.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-35  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-36  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-37  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b>Jeopardy<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One concern is that the increased number of games will lead to a raft of dead rubbers in matchdays nine and ten, but our analysis suggests that this is unlikely to be the case. The use of qualification and seeding cut-offs at 8th, 16th, and 24th place is likely to mean that 95% of matches will be \u2018meaningful\u2019- i.e. both teams having something to play for. Just 1% of games in the group stages will be dead rubbers, played between two teams whose position (or lack thereof) in the next round has already been decided. In terms of jeopardy the Swiss-style format is actually an improvement on the current format and is its key strength.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-39  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-40  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-41  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-42  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-6647 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-6647 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy1.png\" alt='' title='jeopardy1' height=\"556\" width=\"874\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy1.png 874w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy1-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy1-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy1-705x448.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-43  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-44  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-45  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, one consequence of the competition\u2019s expansion is the increased share of games that are likely to be one-sided. In absolute terms there will likely be a close to double the number of games that are won by three or more goals, meaning at an individual match level jeopardy is likely to fall.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-47  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-48  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-49  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-50  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-6648 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-6648 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy2.png\" alt='' title='jeopardy2' height=\"556\" width=\"874\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy2.png 874w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy2-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy2-768x489.png 768w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/jeopardy2-705x448.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-51  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-52  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-53  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b>Connection<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connection is delivered through compelling narratives, both through delivering \u2018best vs\u2019 best\u2019 contests with sufficient scarcity so that they remain compelling and through stories that keep the magic of sporting competition alive, such as Ajax\u2019s glorious run to the semi-finals in 2018\/19. Our models suggest that the chances of a non-big 5 team reaching the semis &#8211; as Ajax did &#8211; will be broadly the same under the Swiss Model as it is today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of \u2018best vs best\u2019, the new format significantly increases the number of games between teams rated 800+ in TFG\u2019s World Super League model (typically the 16-20 biggest, best, and most commercially attractive clubs). However, this is driven entirely through the fact there will be 88% more group stage matches and 55% more knockout matches. So while fans will be treated to more \u2018heavyweight\u2019 clashes in total, this will fall as a share of all matches in the competition potentially undermining the scarcity value of such contests.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-55  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-56  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-57  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-58  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img decoding=\"async\" class='wp-image-6646 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-6646 avia_image' src=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/connection.png\" alt='' title='connection' height=\"553\" width=\"871\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/connection.png 871w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/connection-300x190.png 300w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/connection-768x488.png 768w, https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/connection-705x448.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 871px) 100vw, 871px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-59  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-60  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_three_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-61  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock thought-leadership-main-content '  style='font-size:20px; '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More matches will undoubtedly drive short-term value for the UEFA Champions League as broadcasters seek an opportunity to drive stickier subscriptions, and advertising income.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Swiss model may deliver long term success too, as the competition will retain its status as the highest-quality competition in football, producing more matches between Europe\u2019s biggest and best teams. The new format delivers jeopardy throughout the competition, keeping stakes high and fans entertained, also creating the potential for narrative value through \u2018as it stands\u2019 analysis as the final match rounds unfold. While the expansion is not without risk &#8211; the reduction of the \u2018scarcity premium\u2019 and the impact this has on the ability of fans to remain excited by and willing to pay for\u00a0 \u2018yet another\u2019 heavyweight clash &#8211; the Champions League will continue to excite fans throughout the next cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Domestic leagues will undoubtedly view the competition\u2019s expansion and scalability of its format as a threat to their own position and revenues. That the competition\u2019s expansion is being delivered without undermining the attractiveness of the sporting product may give further cause for concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you would like to find out more about our competition structure services please get in touch with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/contact\/get-in-touch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ben Marlow or Omar Chaudhuri<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read an example of our competition structure work <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twentyfirstgroup.com\/portfolio-item\/eredivisiecompetition-restructure\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-63  el_after_av_three_fifth  el_before_av_codeblock  column-top-margin\" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":7685,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53,52,33],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>UEFA Champions League Restructure: What impact will it have? 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