UEFA has confirmed new seeding regulations for the Champions League knockout stages, having previously announced that home advantage in second legs would be determined by merit rather than random draws - a departure from last season's rules.

UEFA scraps random second-leg allocation following Arsenal draws against Real Madrid and PSG.Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesUEFA has confirmed a significant rule change to its Champions League

UEFA has confirmed changes to the 2025/26 Champions League. The second-leg venue will now be decided by merit, not random draw, following Arsenal's complaints.

Newcastle United will be assessed under UEFA's football earnings rule this coming season in the Champions League

The footballing community is in an uproar once more as UEFA introduces major rule reforms for the 2025/26 Champions League campaign. Some changes seek to right historic wrongs, whereas others have already set tongues wagging among fans and commentators.

UEFA's decision means teams that finish between third and sixth in the league phase cannot get home priority in the Champions League semifinals.

UEFA have confirmed the new seeding regulations for the Champions League knockout rounds that will impact Liverpool

A controversial rule change from UEFA will only benefit two Champions League teams in the new season. The governing body has confirmed new seeding rules for the knockout stages of the tournament, with home advantage in second legs now determined by merit rather than random draws.

Last year, a new format was introduced and generally well received, but UEFA has just decided to make another adjustment to its regulations. During the past Champions League season, the order of home and away legs from the round of 16 onward was determined by a completely random draw.

The Champions League qualifiers began on Tuesday evening and UEFA are preparing to announce a two-fold rule change for the tournament proper which isn't going down well with football fans

UEFA Champions League edition begins this Tuesday (8) with the first leg matches of the playoffs' first phase.There are fourteen matches in total, with the return matches taking place