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UEFA in Secret Talks for 36-Team Champions League; Free ‘UNIFY’ Streaming Service Proposed

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 months ago | Oct 12, 2025 01:41 pm IST
UEFA in Secret Talks for 36-Team Champions League; Free 'UNIFY' Streaming Service Proposed

You thought the Super League drama was over, didn’t you? Well, it looks like it’s just getting started. Recent reports reveal that UEFA has been in informal talks with A22 Sports Management, the group behind the Super League, about a massive overhaul of the Champions League starting as soon as 2027.

Key Takeaways

  • A22 Sports Management has proposed a new 36-team, two-tier Champions League format called the “Unify League”.
  • The plan includes a new digital streaming platform, “UNIFY,” that could broadcast all matches for free or a low fee.
  • UEFA confirmed informal meetings took place but officially stated on October 9, 2025, that there are “no plans to change the format”.
  • The European Parliament has backed UEFA’s current model, opposing any breakaway leagues.

So, What’s This New Format?

Look, the proposal from A22 is a pretty big deal. They’re calling it the “Unify League.” It would completely change the Champions League as you know it. Instead of the current structure, we’d see a 36-team league split into two tiers of 18 clubs each, all based on UEFA rankings.

It’s a complex system with a different group stage and playoff structure before you even get to the knockout rounds. The goal, according to A22, is to create more high-stakes matches and inject more money into the top clubs, giving them more financial stability. It’s their “compromise solution” after a 2023 court ruling said UEFA’s monopoly could be illegal.

Free Football on a New App?

Yeah, you read that right. Perhaps the most radical part of this whole plan is the introduction of a digital streaming platform called “UNIFY.” The idea is to bypass traditional TV networks entirely and broadcast every single match directly to you. And the best part? A22 suggests it could be completely free or available for a very low subscription fee.

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This move would put the power directly in the hands of the league and the fans. But it also raises huge questions about broadcast rights and how smaller clubs would be affected. Critics worry this two-tier system would just make the rich clubs richer and leave everyone else behind.

UEFA Says One Thing, Reports Say Another

Here’s the thing. On October 9, 2025, UEFA came out swinging. They released a statement confirming they had informal meetings with A22’s people, including General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis. But they “categorically reaffirmed that there are no plans to change the format of the UEFA Champions League.” They insist no formal decisions came from the talks.

And yet, reports keep surfacing about these discussions. It feels like a classic case of public posturing while serious negotiations happen behind closed doors. At the same time, the European Parliament adopted a report on October 7, 2025, fully endorsing UEFA’s vision of open competitions based on sporting merit, firmly opposing breakaway concepts like the Super League.

What Does This All Mean For You?

But honestly, what’s next for European football? Are we looking at a future where a few elite clubs control everything, or will the traditional structure hold? This isn’t just about changing a tournament format. It’s a battle for the very soul of the sport.

A22 is pushing for a commercial, top-heavy model, while UEFA and the European Parliament are defending a system based on solidarity and merit. The next few months could decide the future of the beautiful game for decades to come. What do you think is the right path forward?