Arsenal, Barcelona Exits Prompt UEFA Rule Revision

UEFA plans to change Champions League knockout rules after top teams like Arsenal and Barcelona were knocked out despite strong league-stage finishes.

The new rule will give teams that performed better in the league phase the home advantage in all knockout rounds.

This change comes after criticism over last season’s format, where Arsenal and Barcelona had to play crucial second-leg matches away from home against lower-ranked teams. Arsenal faced Paris Saint-Germain away in the semi-finals even though they finished second in the league stage. Similarly, Barcelona played Inter Milan away in the semis despite finishing higher in the standings.

Under the old system, only the Round of 16 considered league rankings for home advantage. From the quarter-finals onward, matchups were decided by open draw, which led to these unfair situations. Many believe playing decisive away matches hurt Arsenal’s and Barcelona’s chances of reaching the final.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal publicly showed frustration with UEFA, saying their good performance in the earlier phase was ignored. Barcelona also suffered, having to travel for both the quarter-final and semi-final second legs, making their path more difficult.

The UEFA Club Competitions Committee agreed on the change ahead of the recent Champions League final. The rule will apply from the 2025-2026 season once the UEFA Executive Committee officially approves it, likely before the league phase draw on August 28.

The new format aims to reward consistency by letting higher-ranked teams host the second legs in every knockout round, removing the open draw system for quarters and semis. UEFA has already released the draft regulations but can still adjust them before final approval.
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