European Cup and UEFA Champions League History - Evolution of The Championship Format

Evolution of The Championship Format

The format of the competition has evolved substantially over the years, notably with the introduction of a Group Phase beginning in 1991, and multiple national representatives in 1998. The following summarizes the evolution of the championship format through the years:

• 1955–1991: Knockout format, one club per country (the league champion) plus the defending champion.
  • 1955: many countries were represented by a team not the domestic champion.
  • 1956–59: the domestic runner-up was allowed to compete where the domestic champion was also European champion.
• 1991–1993: Three knockout qualifying rounds, group phase with 2 groups, 2 group winners meet in final, one club per country (the league champion) plus the defending champion.
• 1993–1994: Knockout semi-finals added following group phase.
• 1994–1997: One knockout qualifying round, group phase with 4 groups, group winners and all runners-up to 8 club knockout phase, one club per country (the league champion) plus the defending champion.
• 1997–1999: Two knockout qualifying rounds, group phase with 6 groups, group winners and 2 runners-up to 8 club knockout phase, up to two clubs per country.
• 1999–2003: Three knockout qualifying rounds, two group phases with 8 first phase group winners and all runners-up moving to 4 second phase groups, second phase group winners and all runners-up to 8 club knockout phase, up to four clubs per country.
• Since 2003: Three knockout qualifying rounds, one group phase with 8 groups, group winners and all runners-up to 16 club knockout phase, still up to four clubs per country.
• Since 2009: UEFA introduced a play-off round in qualifying round of the Europa League and Champions League.

Prior to 1970, aggregate draws were settled by a play-off and (if necessary) coin-toss. Since then, it has been via the away goals rule and (if necessary) a penalty shootout. The final retained the potential for a replay until the late 1970s.