Champions League to include Matches Played in the US and China

Prior to this week's general assembly of the European Club Association, the executive committee of the governing body met. The ECA represents teams who participate in European competitions. The group meets with UEFA to discuss methods to develop the sport and generate income.

The current group stage format will be eliminated, and there will be an increase in the number of games played starting in 2024, thus the Champions League is already planning for a significant shift. However, it seems like the top European teams' executives want to go even further.

Real Madrid Champions League winners 2020-2022               PHOTO FILE

The Athletic claims that moving Champions League matches outside of Europe is one idea that the most powerful executives "like." They want to provide supporters of top clubs around the world easier access to "important" games.

That concept is reportedly supported by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris Saint-Germain. The fact that the Qatari is also the current head of the ECA and a member of the UEFA executive council may be key.

As potential hosts, nations like the United States, China, and the Middle East have been mentioned. Even though the concept is still only a notion and not a set regulation, fan organizations would be vehemently opposed to games being transferred outside of the continent.

The executives are considering sending group games rather than knockout games out of Europe at first. With fierce opposition expected, moving the UEFA Super Cup outside of Europe has also been proposed.

While executives claim that they have no problem debating new ideas, this is unlikely to provide much comfort to worried fans. When the ECA released a report on the nature of fandom in football, it discovered that 34% of football fans in China and 28% in the US were influenced to start following the sport because of a major competition or event.