Despite an increase in the number of matches, many fans are sitting in front of their TV sets less often

Cologne. The final matchday of the new league phase of the Champions League lived up to the high expectations. For the first time, 18 matches were played simultaneously in Europe's premier club competition and the new showpiece of the preliminary round immediately provided plenty of entertainment. With 64 goals scored, the 36 teams produced the second-highest scoring matchday in the history of the top flight. The fact that the historic record of 67 goals had only been set a good two months earlier seems to confirm UEFA's general overhaul of the traditional format. But what do football fans think of the new format? To find out, FanQ not only asked supporters about their favourites for the title, but also how they rate the new features and how they compare with the previous model.

First of all, the majority of football fans seem to be open to the new Champions League mode. After all, 45.7 % of the participants in the corresponding survey awarded four (29.0 %) or even five (16.7 %) out of a possible five stars. Nevertheless, the new model modelled on the "Swiss system" is less popular with some fans: a total of 28.5 % of them voted with just two (11.3 %) or the minimum rating of one star (17.2 %). The divergent opinions within the fan base are also reflected in the comparison of the changes with the previously applied group mode. According to this, there was not necessarily a need for the reorganisation in the eyes of the fans. Although 44.7 % of those surveyed were of the opinion that the changes had proved successful, at the same time an almost equally large group (41.8 %) said that they would like the old format back.

A look at the TV consumption of football fans also shows that the reform of the competition has not (yet) gained widespread acceptance. Despite the increased number of teams and matches, the proportion of fans who have watched fewer live broadcasts of Champions League matches than before is relatively high at 31.2 %. This group therefore comprises almost twice as many people as the group of fans who have watched more Champions League matches this season than in previous years (17.4 %). For almost half of the survey participants (49.2 %), consumption has remained largely unchanged and they have watched roughly the same number of matches as in the past. However, the declining interest of just under one in three cannot be attributed to a lack of excitement. A total of 58.6 % of respondents fully (27.8 %) or at least partially (30.8 %) agree with the statement that the battle for the round of 16 is now more exciting than during the classic group stage. Around a quarter of football fans (23.5 %), on the other hand, disagree completely (8.1 %) or partially (17.4 %), while 13.0 % are neutral on this topic.

A key aspect of the reform of UEFA's premium club competition was the pressure from the big clubs and their associated willingness to create their own Super League. Accordingly, the dominance of the top five leagues in the field of participants is by no means surprising, with 22 of the 36 clubs coming from England, Italy, Spain, Germany or France. However, only around one in four fans find this really problematic. For example, 23.8 % of those who voted rated the current distribution of starting places with two (15.2 %) or just one star (8.6 %). In contrast, 39.1 % are satisfied with the current composition of the field of participants and therefore award four (28.2 %) or a full five stars (10.9 %), while around a third of supporters (33.1 %) take a neutral stance on the matter. Furthermore, most fans do not see the new model favouring the top clubs. 53.8 % of respondents believe that the reform of the competition has not made it easier for the big teams to progress, while 38.0 % perceive an additional advantage for the best teams.

In terms of sport, the survey participants had hoped for more from the German clubs. More than half (52.1 %) said they had expected a little more from the Bundesliga representatives, while 23.6 % of football fans were completely disappointed with the performance of the five teams and did not rate them as good overall. Against this background, it is not surprising to find two Bundesliga clubs among the three most frequently mentioned answers to the question about the biggest disappointments of the preliminary round. RB Leipzig accounted for the clear majority (43.4 %). The Saxons lost seven of their eight matches and finished the league phase in 32nd place in the table with just three points, followed by Manchester City (21.4 %) and FC Bayern (14.9 %), who both had to take a diversion via the play-off round, contrary to their own expectations. The picture is less clear when it comes to the surprise team of the Champions League season so far. Play-off contenders Atalanta Bergamo and Stade Brest are tied at the top with 23.8 % of the vote each. The podium is completed by Bayern conquerors Aston Villa (16.2 %). The team from Birmingham snatched the last direct place in the round of 16 in eighth place.

Almost everyone in second place sees Liverpool FC (47.1 %) as the favourites to win the title. Arne Slot's team had not dropped a point until the final matchday, securing first place in the final table. Despite the bumpy start to the competition, 16.1 % of respondents believe Bayern Munich can lift the trophy in their own stadium in their first season under Vincent Kompany. In addition, 12.6 % of respondents expect FC Barcelona to win the Champions League for the first time in ten years, while a further 10.3 % expect Real Madrid to defend their title.

It will be exciting to see whether UEFA can convince even more fans of the new premier league with the help of a successful knockout phase. If the European governing body succeeds in this endeavour in the first season of the overhauled competition, it could well be interpreted as evidence of a successful reform of the Champions League. Although supporters are expecting fewer major changes in the next phase of the tournament than in the preliminary round, the prefabricated tournament tree and the additional matches should result in a new kind of experience. However, great spectacle and an increase in the number of games do not necessarily seem to make the overall product more popular. In the end, the quality of the games will be the decisive factor. If this is the case, perhaps more football enthusiasts will switch on the television again in the preliminary round in the 2025/26 season.

FanQ is the "voice of the fans". It is the only football platform where the opinion of the fans takes centre stage. The experienced FanQ editorial team provides daily surveys via the web and app. Fans can vote on their favourite clubs and all relevant football topics. FanQ is interactive. Fans can exchange opinions, interact socially and ask their own questions. This results in a representative picture of the mood. FanQ also creates long-term studies to research complex topics. Registration for the web community and use of the app are free of charge. FanQ is based in Cologne.

If you have any editorial queries about the survey results, please contact us.

Contact FanQ: 
joachim.lammert@fanq.com 
+49 (0) 163 529 3000 
Kilian Weber/Joachim Lammert 
Managing Director