LATEST NEWS: The six Champions League games on Thursday, including Atalanta vs Arsenal, are due to scheduling adjustments. These changes were made to accommodate various factors, such as local restrictions, fixture congestion, or other logistical challenges.
The new Champions League season has begun, but Arsenal’s entry into the competition will take place in an unusual ways.
Aston Villa and Liverpool both started their UCL campaigns on Tuesday with impressive away wins against Young Boys and AC Milan. Meanwhile, Manchester City is set to host Inter Milan on Wednesday in a rematch of the 2023 final. However, Arsenal’s trip to face Europa League champions Atalanta is scheduled for Thursday.
This scheduling is especially surprising, as Champions League matches are traditionally played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with Thursdays reserved for the Europa League and Conference League.
You might assume the increased number of matches due to the competition’s revamped format is responsible for this change, but that’s not the case.
Why are six Champions League games on Thursday?
While the shift from a 32-team group stage to a 36-team league phase has increased the number of Champions League matches from 125 to 189, the Thursday fixtures are unrelated to the busier schedule.
Instead, UEFA has decided to allocate exclusive matchweeks for each of its three competitions this season, ensuring no overlap. The week of September 17-19 was reserved exclusively for Champions League games.
This scheduling strategy aims to bring more attention to UEFA’s lesser-promoted competitions. The Europa League will have its own exclusive week on September 25-26, and the Conference League will take place solely on Thursday, December 19.
Why UEFA chose to spread the Champions League games over three days but not apply the same approach to the other competitions remains unclear.
Will there be more Champions League games on Thursday?
No, unless unexpected changes arise. This will be the only time the Champions League fixtures will be played on a Thursday this season.
Aside from the exclusive matchweeks, the European competition format remains the same as in previous years, with Champions League games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Europa League and Conference League matches on Thursdays.