Winz.io and BGaming are thrilled to announce the launch of our latest exclusive title - Moonwalkers 🚀

This exciting addition to our ever-expanding game library promises to bring a mix of thrill, fun, and potential big wins to players, while continuing our commitment to providing top-notch entertainment experiences.

What’s Moonwalkers Crash All About?

Moonwalkers takes you on a journey like no other - into the great unknown of outer space. With its engaging design and fast-paced action, Moonwalkers puts you in command, ready to take the risks for astronomical wins. 

The game features a fair house edge of just 1.08%, giving players a solid chance to reach for the stars and enjoy the rewarding fun of crash-style gameplay.

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The game is perfect for anyone who loves adrenaline-pumping action. It challenges you to cash out before the multiplier "crashes" - timing is everything! As the multiplier rises, so do your winnings, but wait too long, and you might find yourself missing out. 

Moonwalkers' simple yet strategic nature is exactly what makes it so addictive and entertaining.

Winz.io and BGaming Cooperation

We at Winz.io are always aiming to bring innovation and quality to our players, and teaming up with BGaming for this branded game is another step toward that goal. 

With BGaming's exceptional track record in game development and our passion for delivering unforgettable gaming experiences, this collaboration has given birth to truly unique games in addition to Moonwalkers, such as Winz to the Moon and Winz.io Bonanza. 

Final Words

Our goal is to offer not only a fun and engaging gambling experience but also a responsible one.

We encourage our players to enjoy Moonwalkers with a focus on having fun and being mindful of their limits 🙏

Get ready to take off, boost your balance, and enjoy an interstellar gaming adventure!

Today, we’re here to discuss the increasingly popular Cluster Pays slot mechanic. It was developed by NetEnt, one of iGaming’s giants, back in 2016. The feature quickly revolutionized the market.

Nowadays, dozens of game developers have online slots with the Cluster Pay feature.

At Winz.io, you can test and play cluster slots for real money or cryptocurrencies. If you’re not sure what they’re all about and what games to opt for, you’re at the right place.

Let’s start with the gameplay basics before moving on to the key characteristics, downsides, and most popular games!

How do Cluster Pays Slots Work?

The famous Cluster Pays feature works in a simple manner. It doesn’t require symbols to connect through paylines across multiple reels.

Instead, all it requires is a certain minimum number of identical symbols in a cluster to trigger a win.

For instance, Gates of Olympus requires at least 8 symbols for a win. Naturally, the more symbols you get, the higher the win is.

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Let’s take the crown symbol from Gates of Olympus as the perfect example.

Here’s how it pays according to the number of symbols in the cluster on a $2 bet:

• 8-9: 20

• 10-11: 50

• 12-30: 100

But, that’s not where the entertainment ends for cluster pay enthusiasts. Based on our research, lots of cluster slots have additional features which further improve the gameplay experience.

Cascading reels, bonus buy, jackpots - you’re bound to find something that’s right up your alley!

Key Characteristics of Cluster Pays Slots

Just like every other unique slot feature out there, cluster slots have a few interesting characteristics up their sleeves.

By that, we’re mainly referring to massive winning potential, the lack of pay lines, and other feature combos.

Massive Cluster Winning Potential

Cluster pays mechanic is based on the number of identical symbols you get in a round. Needless to say, the more identical symbols you get, the higher your win(s) will be.

Best of all, most cluster slots have other features which drastically improve your chances of winning. No worries, we’ll discuss that right below!

Typically Paired with Tumble/Cascade Feature

Another interesting factor about slots with cluster pays mechanics is that they typically come paired with other interesting features.

By that, we’re mainly referring to the popular tumble/cascade mechanic. 

After winning a round, all winning symbols disappear to make way for new symbols which could provide more wins in the same round.

NO Paylines

As mentioned several times already, slots with cluster pays mechanics don’t have pay lines. They don’t - it’s as simple as that. Instead of pay lines, all that matters is the number of identical symbols that come up.

Finally, these games are known for having larger grids than payline-based counterparts.

Biggest Downsides of Cluster Slots

Nothing is 100% perfect. The same goes for online slots with cluster pays mechanics. In our experience, players find them too difficult because getting the same symbols 8+ times seems too steep.

Another reason is the fact newcomers have a hard time keeping track of the action. 

That’s because cluster slots typically have much larger grids and it takes time to get used to the process.

Might Seem Too Difficult

Beginners oftentimes read the game’s rules before investing real money or playing the demo. Once they do, most of them feel cluster slots are too difficult to win because they require 8+ identical symbols to appear on the grid.

In contrast, conventional slots usually require 3 to 5, depending on the number of reels. 

However, cluster pay slots have much larger grids and, thanks to the tumble/cascade feature, hitting 8+ same symbols over and over again is quite common.

Too Hard to Keep Track of the Action

Another notable downside is the fact that the grid size and symbol variety make cluster-based slots too hard to keep track of. In most games, grids have more than 30 spaces for symbols, which easily gets overwhelming for beginners.

No worries, though, it all settles down after the first hour of gameplay.

Based on RNG

One last thing - all these slots are based on RNG (random number generators). Experienced gamblers are well aware of this. It goes without saying for them.

However, if you’re a newcomer, you should know that every single cluster pay online slot has no skill-based mechanics. It’s all based on RNG (read luck).

Best Cluster Pays Slots to Play at Winz.io

Here’s a closer look at the most popular options:

Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is the absolute champion when it comes to cluster pay online slots. Even today, more than 5 years after its release, Sweet Bonanza Pragmatic Play slot is among the most popular games out there. Read our comprehensive Sweet Bonanza review to find out why!

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The best thing about Sweet Bonanza isn’t its mesmerizing atmosphere nor the buttery smooth animations. Instead, it’s the fact that symbols don’t have to come in clusters to win. 

Other features include the double chance to win feature which can be turned on an off.

Additionally, Sweet Bonanza also offers players the ability to automatically enter the bonus round for 100x the bet amount.

Jammin’ Jars by Push Gaming

In this short Jammin’ Jars review, we’ll talk you through the game’s cluster pays mechanics, other in-game features values to see whether or not it's worth checking out.

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Jammin’ Jars is one of the most popular Push Gaming titles dating back to September 2018. The game offers Sticky Wild Jars and the popular Rainbow feature besides cluster pays mechanics. 

It has an astonishing 64 spaces for symbols (8x8 grid) and the bets range from 0.20€ to 12€.

Reactoonz by Play’n GO

Reactoonz is the sequel to Play’n GO’s massively popular Energoonz slot released in 2013. The second release in the series, Reactoonz mobile, saw the light of day in October 2017 and has been enjoying quite the popularity ever since.

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That’s not a big surprise considering the soundtrack is mesmerizing, the graphics are gorgeously cartoonish, and the in-game features leave players craving for more.

Reactoonz Play’n GO slot is based on a 7x7 grid and requires 5+ identical symbols in a cluster to win.

It features flux capacitors as the Wild symbols, Tumble/Cascade feature, and offers a unique gameplay experience based on the popular sci-fi environment.

Giga Jar by Push Gaming

Push Gaming has another cluster pays masterpiece. It goes by the name Giga Jar and offers exciting features like Wild Jars, Snowball Ice Breaker, and the infamous Giga Feature providing massive multipliers.

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The Giga Jar slot features a massive 7x7 grid with 49 spaces for symbols. The symbols have to appear in clusters, otherwise they won’t win. 

The bets range from 0.10€ all the way to 25€. To win, you need to get a cluster of at least 5 identical symbols. 

Naturally, when you win, the winning symbols disappear and other symbols tumble down onto the grid. Check out our in-depth Giga Jar slot review to learn more.

Cluster Pays Slots FAQs

How to tell if a game is based on the cluster pays mechanic?

The simplest way to check is to assess the grid. If the grid is smaller and has a certain number of marked paylines, then you’re not looking at a cluster pay slot.

If, on the other hand, it requires clusters of symbols to win, then you’re looking at a cluster pay slot.

Can I experiment with gambling strategies while playing cluster slots?

You can, if that’s what you prefer. However, keep in mind that all online slots are purely based on luck and nothing but luck.

It’s all controlled by a random number generator which effectively defeats the purpose of strategizing.

What are the best cluster slots to play at Winz.io?

Winz.io offers a plethora of online slots with cluster pay mechanics. If you’re looking for the best specimens, we suggest you check out Sweet Bonanza by Pragmatic Play and Reactoonz by Play’n GO.

These two slots stand out among the rest thanks to their brilliant mechanics, immersive graphics, and awesome soundtracks.

Are there any other unique mechanics I should know about?

Of course, there are! Besides cluster pay mechanics, lots of players enjoy features like Bonus Buy, Megaways, cascading reels, and similar.

These instate unique spins on well-known slot mechanics and are the key reasons why lots of players keep coming back for more.

It’s no secret that using sports statistics to your advantage can have a big impact on the overall success rate of one’s betting endeavours.

How to know which sports statistics are useful and which should be skipped? Is there a one-size-fits-all kind of an answer here?

Let’s talk about that!

Basic Use of Statistics in Sports Betting

If you’re going to be using live betting statistics for your future slips, you have to be thorough. Doing it in a half-baked manner won’t get you far. It won’t make you better than the average newcomer.

In fact, here’s an example of how most newcomers use football betting statistics:

1. The match they’re eyeing is Liverpool vs. Arsenal

2. They immediately go to their last 5 H2H clashes and start drawing conclusions

3. They check their last 5 fixtures too to gauge their current form

4. If both of these stats point in the same direction, they’ll place the bet

Obviously, this system is flawed in several ways. For example, it doesn’t take into account the fact Liverpool is no longer coached by Jurgen Klopp but Arne Slot.

Additionally, this system is far from thorough. It takes into account the most basic of stats - h2h results and previous results.

If you want to get a much better picture of what’s going to happen, you should explore in-game stats rather than just raw results.

How to Use Betting Statistics to Your Advantage

We all know about stats like shots per goal, committed fauls, corner kicks, and so on.

Here, though, we’ll dive deeper than that and show you promising stats that could be of vital importance in your data sheets:

• Possession

• Possession stats are oftentimes overlooked because people don’t think much about them. However, they can tell us a great deal of info, especially if we have a rough depiction of what both teams’ tactical approaches will be.

• xG (expected goals)

• The xG stat craze is still alive and kicking. xG stats are now available everywhere - from your local sports TV to the big brands and even video games. It’s a stat that shows us the contrast between the actual number of goals scored by the team and the expected number of goals they should’ve scored based on a wide array of deeper statistics.

• xGa (expected goals against)

• This is basically the same as above, only taking into account the goals the team could’ve conceded. xGa stats show us the team’s defensive efforts, or the lack thereof. But, when gauging xGa stats on a small sample of matches (<3), it’s important to account for the quality of the opposition as well as their playstyles.

Most Common NBA Betting Statistics You Should Use (as an example)

Everyone uses basic stats like w/l, players’ PPG, APG, RPG, and similar basic stats. But, there’s far more stuff to explore in the beautiful game of basketball.

 Let’s take a closer look!

• SPG (steals per game)

• Steals per game can tell you a great deal about how teams approach their passing lanes and on-ball tactics. On the individual level, it shows you how active each player is on defense.

• TS% (true shooting percentage)

• This stat shows you the ratio of successful field goals, three-pointers, and free throws to their total attempts. This stat is important to understand a player’s (or a team’s) overall scoring efficiency from all scoring opportunities.

• MPG (minutes per game)

• This stat shows you the average number of minutes the player spends in the game. For betting purposes, you can learn how important a player is for a team and how certain absentees could play pivotal roles.

• FG% (field goal percentage)

• This is the ratio of successful field goals (standard 2-pointers) to total attempts made. This shows you a player’s accuracy and how well he deals with low-percentage (read risky) shots.

Using Live Betting Statistics to Your Advantage

Watching the game live while simultaneously monitoring in-game stats and betting odds takes both knowledge and experience.

But, if you feel you’re up for a challenge, this could be the easiest way to secure high-value bets at will. No matter what sport we’re talking about, live betting statistics are worth gold!

Main Benefits and Downsides of Using Sports Betting Statistics

Now that you know some cold hard examples of what to do, let’s talk about the main benefits and downsides to basing your sports betting slips on statistics and data analysis.

BENEFITS

👍 Nothing Beats a Properly Structured and Data-Driven Approach 

No matter if you’re using NFL betting statistics, or NHL betting statistics, or something else entirely, you should always properly structure your data. Don’t just slap the stats across a Sheet.

Play around with stat categories and find the perfect number of data points to base your bets around.

👍 Stats Help Uncover High-Value Bets

If you look hard enough, you’ll start to notice trends you weren’t even looking for. Picture this - you start doing research for a moneyline wager between Ipswich and Everton. A clean moneyline was all you’re interested in.

However, one thing led to another and here you are analyzing Everton’s xG stats against teams that typically progress through the center of the pitch. 

And, before you even realize what’s happening, you’ve found yourself a +180 banger on total goals over 2.5, which is likely to happen considering the stats you’ve uncovered. See, that’s the magic of sports betting statistics. 

👍 Provides an Edge Over Casual Bettors

One thing is certain - combining basic stats with specific in-game specimens mentioned above will give your bets a higher chance of success. This will give you a competitive edge over your friends, which is always a big plus, right?!

DOWNSIDES

👎 How Much is Too Much?

Once you really start getting down and dirty, at some point you’ll notice you’re venturing into a wicked circle. You start dissecting more and more stats, each bringing more questions than answers.

You start to wonder - how much is too much? Well, if you’ve come to the point where your structured data could be deciphered by no one but you, then you’re likely already past the breaking point.

👎 Raw Stats Don’t Mean Much In Some Cases

There are some cases where raw stats won’t give you much of an advantage. The best case is with teams who’ve had major changes, especially if you’re eyeing one of their first matches in the all-new season.

The same goes for managerial changes - you can never know what sort of setup a manager might deploy during his first few matches. That brings extra variables into your bets, and you don’t want that.

Tips for Using Sports Betting Statistics

We aren’t done just yet! Now that you’ve learned more about the best approaches to using sports betting statistics to your advantage, here are four additional tips to get you started:

Always Be Financially Responsible

This one should go without saying - you should never punch above your financial weight! If you can’t figure it out on your own, we recommend you explore our responsible gambling tools. Gambling addiction is not a joke and we recommend you seek help as soon as you notice the first symptoms. 

Focus on What You Truly Know

Don’t go outside of your comfort zone. Norwegian second-tier handball might be a good place to place a fun little wager with your friends.

However, if you’re on the lookout for long-term success, you should focus on the leagues you watch week in and week out. 

Be Thorough

One fairly important factor - be thorough. By that, we don’t mean you should opt for 20+ statistical data points. Instead, make sure the dozen or so you’re using are all valid. Make sure there are no red herrings in there.

Double-check important stuff like absentees, managerial changes, and new arrivals before forming your final decision.

Don’t Take Strategy for Granted

If you’re having difficulties with consistency even after doing thorough research, perhaps you should consider looking into betting strategies.

Also, if consistency is your primary concern, I advise you to stay away from parlay bets as they’ll ruin your win percentage.

Conclusion

So, does statistics help in betting? I guess it’s safe to conclude that properly structured statistical data can greatly benefit one’s sports betting endeavours. 

Stuff like this will greatly impact your bets and might render some of your statistical data unstable. But, long story short, you should never disregard the stats.

If you’re thorough enough and pay attention to the details, sports betting stats should provide a sizeable oomph to your betting slips!

At Winz.io, we love celebrating big wins, and this time, we have an exciting story of a jaw-dropping €28,000 payout on Chaos Crew 2 by Hacksaw Gaming!

In this article, we are ready to tell you in detail how it was 🔥

So sit back and let's get started!

The Moment of Victory

The win in question happened when one brave player wagered €700 on a single spin - a serious high-roller move. With the reels in motion, the game quickly started stacking up multipliers.

Each spin increased the tension as the potential payout grew higher and higher.

Finally, in a spectacular turn of events, the player hit an incredible 40x multiplier, turning that hefty bet into a staggering €28,000 payout!

This is what makes Chaos Crew 2 such a perfect fit for thrill-seekers. The wild swings in fortune, combined with the chance to hit massive multipliers, keep players on the edge of their seats. And when it hits, it really hits.

How Chaos Crew 2 Makes Big Wins Happen

If you’ve played Chaos Crew 2 from Hacksaw, you know it’s not your average slot game. As the sequel to the hugely popular Chaos Crew, this game boasts even more exciting features and a unique 5x5 grid layout. 

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So, what’s the secret behind these big wins? Let’s break down the mechanics of Chaos Crew 2. 

🎲 Random Multipliers: The game features symbols like the skull and the cat, which can apply multipliers randomly to your winnings.

These symbols are the key to building momentum during both the base game and the free spins feature, where multipliers can stack even higher.

🎲 Bonus Features: One of the best things about Chaos Crew 2 is its bonus rounds. Hitting the right combination of bonus symbols can launch a series of free spins, where the potential for massive wins grows exponentially.

This is where the big multipliers come into play, making each spin more exciting than the last.

🎲 High Volatility: Chaos Crew 2 is not for the faint of heart. The game’s high volatility means that it can swing from one extreme to the other, offering the potential for big wins, but also requiring players to take on a bit of risk.

However, as this lucky player demonstrated, the payoff can be absolutely worth it.

Final Words

At Winz.io, we take immense pride in creating a gambling environment where every spin holds the potential for thrilling rewards. 

Chaos Crew 2 has once again proven that big dreams can come true with just one spin. If you’re seeking your next adrenaline rush or hoping to land that life-changing win, there’s no better time to jump into the action.

Who knows? The next big winner at Winz.io could be you!

The 2024/25 Champions League season has just started! As you might know already, it brings forth a new competitive format and more teams than ever before.

For Champions League betting enthusiasts, these changes are the perfect opportunity to hunt for value right from the off.

If that’s exactly what you’re looking for then you’re at the right place. Why? Because we’re here to go through the best Champions League bets you can place right now and spice things up with some high-value predictions.

So, if your coffee is ready, let’s get right into it!

2024/25 Champions League Bets and Predictions

Let’s jump straight into the five best betting markets ahead of the 2024/25 Champions League season:

Champions League Outright Winner 

First things first - let’s check out the outright winner betting odds for the 24/25 Champions League season, followed by a few detailed predictions below the table.

Let’s roll!

So, who’s going to win this season of the Champions League? According to the current Champions League odds, Manchester City and Real Madrid are the main favourites. 

On one end, we have to ask ourselves if Real Madrid has the depth to win their third CL title in just four seasons.

On the other end, we have Manchester City who’ve won the 2022/23 season but failed to reach the final last time out.

On paper, both teams look absolutely packed with firepower. The Madridians have Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicus Jr and a world-class defensive backline that brings shivers down attackers’ spines. 

Plus, on top of all that, they have Kylian Mbappe, their new number 9. Even though he’s only scored 2 goals so far, it’s only a matter of time before he turns into a proper beast.

The Citizens have no lackings qualitywise. They have one of the best first elevens in the world, orchestrated by none other than Rodri.

Plus, Gundogan has returned from Barcelona and is going to be a vital part of Pep’s midfield machinery, shoulder to shoulder with experienced Mateo Kovacic.

And, of course, we can’t forget Erling Haaland who already has 7 goals to his tally and the season has just started.

So, obviously, Manchester City and Real Madrid are the obvious first choices. There are several dark horses too. Mainly, Arsenal and Barcelona.

Emphasis on Barcelona. The odds for the Catalonians are currently 17, which packs quite the value, especially considering the way they kickstarted their season. 

One thing is certain, this first season of the Champions League with the new format is going to be interesting.

To Finish in the Top 8 in CL League Stage

Because of the new league-like format which was introduced for the all-new 24/25 CL season, the bookies have a bunch of new betting options for you to explore.

Here’s one of the most interesting specimens - team to finish in the top 8 of the CL League Stage:

First things first, these are just the top choices for this particular group of bets. There are far more teams you can bet on. The aforementioned names are the likeliest contenders, though.

But, if you’re aiming for dark horses, you’ll be happy to know Winz.io offers bets for all 36 teams.

Realistically speaking, you can’t go wrong with the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid. The odds aren’t the greatest.

However, if you’re one of those folks who like to bet massive amounts on outrights, you’re going to appreciate the value here.

I guess the same goes for Bayern and Liverpool too. Barcelona at 1.83 might be the most valuable pick, especially considering their strong start this season.

Dani Olmo has already proven his worth, and Lamina Jamal is getting better and better with each passing game. So, at the end of the day, pick your own poison.

League Stage Winner 

After going through the Top 8 Finish bets and predictions, it’s time for another set of interesting bets. The League Stage Winner is another brand-new group of Champions League bets.

That’s because the all-new Champions League format has dropped 8 4-team groups and now features all 36 participants in a single league-like system.

So, who is going to win the first-ever league stage of the Champions League? The odds-on favourites are Manchester City at 4, Real Madrid at 6, Arsenal at 7.5 and Bayern Munich at 9. 

We still have a very limited look at how these teams are performing this season. Objectively speaking, Real Madrid has gained the best powerup this summer with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe.

But, Madrid’s star-packed lineup still doesn’t feel quite at 100%. 

Pep’s City, on the other hand, are yet to lose points in the Premier League. Plus, Haaland is looking better than ever.

So, if the start of the season is a good indication for the Champions League outrights, my money would be on Manchester City.

2024/25 Champions League Top Goalscorer

Here’s a look at the top 10 odds for the 2024/25 Champions League top goalscorer bets:

Obviously, Haaland and Mbappe are the top two names in this category. However, at the start of the season, we can safely say one has had a better start than the other.

More precisely, Haaland has two consecutive hat tricks in the Premier League and has increased his total tally to 8. 

Mbappe, on the other hand, managed to score just 2 so far, and they both came in the last match against Real Betis.

But, given the chances Real Madrid continues to create match in and match out, Mbappe’s numbers are bound to improve.

In the end, it will come down to which team can kickstart their CL campaigns better. If you’re aiming for a dark horse pick, though, Vinicius Jr and Mo Salah seem like the best bets. At 14 and 15, respectively, they could prove to be quite reliable.

2024/25 Champions League Most Assists

And finally, here’s a look at the odds for the 24/25 Champions League player with the most assists:

There are no surprises here. The likeliest candidates to have the most assists at the end of this season of the Champions League belong to the top teams.

By that, we’re referring to the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid. Three of the top four players play for one of these two teams.

More precisely, Leroy Sane is the only exception.

Kevin De Bruyne at 9 seems like the best bet here. With Haaland up front as the likeliest top goalscorer, my bet is that KDB is going to have another marvellous season providing the Norwegian with quality balls in the final third.

Place Champions League Bets at Winz.io Sports?

For the best variety of Champions League betting options and some of the most competitive odds out there, we recommend you check out the Winz.io Sportsbook hub.

It offers an unparalleled number of betting options, especially football betting markets which enjoy the most popularity.

So, if you’re looking for a new online sportsbook and you won’t settle for anything less than perfect, Winz.io is the obvious answer!

The all-new season of the UEFA Champions League is just around the corner. Now that the last round of qualifiers is all done and dusted, we finally know all 36 participants.

Plus, the draw last Thursday announced all eight fixtures of the 36 participating teams. Mind you, we’ll get the exact group stage calendar at a later date.

Old Champions League Format is No More

That’s right, the 2024/25 Champions League season comes with four extra teams and a completely revamped group stage. The draw ended up confusing the fans, who now aren’t sure what to expect.

No worries, we’re here to shed light on the new Champions League format and guide you through the changes. You’ll be happy to know it’s not as complex as it might seem at first.

The old format for the Champions League main event was pretty straightforward. It was divided into two stages: groups and playoffs. Before the group stage could be seeded, of course, there were several rounds of qualifiers. 

But, that’s not considered a part of the main event. It only consisted of two stages:

• Group stage

• 8 groups (A through H) with 4 teams each

• Each teams plays the other three teams in their group twice

• One match home, one match away

• Top 2 teams from each group quality for the round of 16

• 3rd place teams are relegated to the Europa League

• 4th place teams are eliminated

• Playoffs

• Ro16 up to the semifinals are two-legged matches

• Winners advance to the next stage

• The grand final is a single-leg spectacle in some of football’s greatest venues

The all-new CL format changes are set to completely revamp the group stage. We’ll explain in more detail right below!

2024/25 Champions League Format Explained

If you watched the draw last Thursday, it might’ve left you puzzled. Yes, I know, it seemed pretty complicated.

But, that’s just because of the new format UEFA used computers to automatically seed teams from 4 different pots. Allow us to elaborate:

League Phase

The all-new League Phase is set to replace the old Group Stage with 8 groups of 4 teams. Now, it’s all just a single group; a league - hence the name League Phase. 

So, starting from 2024/25 season, 36 teams will participate in a single league. Each team will play 8 different teams, 4 home and 4 away, instead of 3 teams twice. 

Each team was drawn with two opponents from each of the four pots. Oh, you don’t know a thing about pots? If that’s the case, let’s talk about why the 2024/25 Champions League draw seemed so complex. 

It ought to be because of the fact that all 36 teams were divided into 4 pots, each containing 9 teams. The draw started with Pot 1 which features the strongest title-winning candidates.

The program automatically drew all eight fixtures for each of the Pot 1 teams. The same thing happened for teams in pots 2, 3, and 4, to complete the draw.

So, let’s go over the basics of the new CL League Phase format:

• 36 teams playing in a single league

• A win is 3 points, a draw is 1 point, a loss is 0 points

• Each team plays 8 different teams, 4 home and 4 away

• Each team plays against 2 teams from each of the 4 pots

• After all 8 matches are done, the top 8 teams advance to the ro16

• Teams ranked 9th through 16th play against teams ranked 17th through 24th

• Teams ranked 25th through 36th are eliminated

Knockout Phase Play-Off

Once again, the top 8 teams from the League Phase advance straight to the Ro16. There, they await the winners of the Knockout Phase Play-Off.

More precisely, teams ranked 9th - 16th will face off against teams ranked 17th-24th in a classic two-legged contest. The winner will be determined after 180 minutes, plus potentially extra time and penalties. 

Knockout Phase

Starting from the round of 16, there are no format changes. The top 8 teams from the League Phase will join the Knockout Phase Play-Off winners in the classic two-legged Knockout Phase.

Finals

There are also no changes for the final. It remains a single-leg spectacle. We already know the exact date and location for the 2025 Champions League FInal.

This season, the final will be played on 31 May 2025 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

2024/25 Champions League Draw

Last Thursday, the football elite gathered in Monaco for the 2024/25 Champions League draw.

First of its kind, mind you. Even though the draw left many puzzled because of the new format, after the first spell of matches everyone will understand how simple it is and everyone’s going to love it.

As for the draw itself, here are all the fixtures of the top 9 teams from the first pot:

Real Madrid Group Stage Fixtures

Even though Real Madrid’s La Liga season isn’t off to a good start, they’ll be fancying their Champions League chances, that’s for sure.

Especially after such a good draw. Borussia, Liverpool and Milan seem like the biggest problems, though the likes of Atalanta and Salzburg could cause some issues too.

• Borussia Dortmund home

• Liverpool away

• Milan home

• Atalanta away

• Salzburg home

• Lille away

• Stuttgart home

• Brest away

Man City Group Stage Fixtures

Manchester City’s draw went pretty well. Pep Guardiola will be happy with Inter and PSG. Juventus away is bound to be a tough nut to crack, but if anyone can do it, it’s Haaland and the company.

• Inter home

• PSG away

• Club Brugge home

• Juventus away

• Feyenoord home

• Sporting CP away

• Sparta Praha home

• S. Bratislava away

Bayern Munich Group Stage Fixtures

Bayern’s draw is pretty sweet. PSG and Barcelona are the only two matches I’m looking forward to. Everything else should be a walk in the park for Musiala and the co.

• PSG home

• Barcelona away

• Benfica home

• Shakhtar away

• GNK Dinamo home

• Feyenoord away

• S. Bratislava home

• Aston Villa away

PSG Group Stage Fixtures

We’re going to see PSG go up against Manchester City once again. The French against Bayern Munich is also going to be a classic. But, then again, so will their fixture against tough-to-crack Atletico.

Then, as icing on the cake, we’ll see them face off against Arsenal too. PSG has a bucket full of classics!

• Man City home

• Bayern Munich away

• Atletico Madrid home

• Arsenal away

• PSV home

• Salzburg away

• Girona home

• Stuttgart away

Liverpool Group Stage Fixtures

The Reds will have mixed feelings about the draw. One of the best fixtures of the entire league phase will see them square off against Real Madrid at Anfield.

Leverkusen’s trip to Merseyside is going to be one for the books as well.

• Real Madrid home

• RB Leipzig away

• Leverkusen home

• Milan away

• Lille home

• PSV away

• Bologna home

• Girona away

Inter Group Stage Fixtures

Inter is in a world of trouble. They got Leipzig, Man City, Arsenal, and Leverkusen from the first two pots.

Not a good draw. Luckily, the likes of Crvena Zvezda at home and Sparta Praha away should be points secured for the Italians.

• RB Leipzig home

• Man City away

• Arsenal home

• Leverkusen away

• Crvena Zvezda home

• Young Boys away

• Monaco home

• Sparta Praha away

Borussia Dortmund Group Stage Fixtures

Borussia Dortmund fans can be happy with the draw. They’ll play against the Spanish golden tandem - Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The remaining 6 matches all seem like a walk in the park, though we’re bound to see some points spillage along the way.

• Barcelona home

• Real Madrid away

• Shakhtar home

• Club Brugge away

• Celtic home

• GNK Dinamo away

• Sturm Graz home

• Bologna away

Barcelona Group Stage Fixtures

Barcelona’s draw is pretty mild. They got Atalanta and Benfica from Pot 2, which perfectly opens their door to direct ro16 qualification. We’re left to see if Jamal, Olmo, and Lewandowski can make it happen.

• Bayern Munich home

• Borussia Dortmund away

• Atalanta home

• Benfica away

• Young Boys home

• Crvena Zvezda away

• Brest home

• Monaco away

RB Leipzig Group Stage Fixtures

RB Leipzig is the final team from Pot 1. These guys just can’t catch a break. First, they lost Dani Olmo.

Now, they drew Liverpool, Inter, Juventus, and Atletico from Pots 1 and 2. Talk about tough luck…

• Liverpool home

• Inter away

• Juventus home

• Atletico Madrid away

• Sporting home

• Celtic away

• Aston Villa home

• Sturm Graz away

Thoughts on the All-New Champions League Format

One thing is certain - fans don’t seem to like the new changes. The draw took them by surprise and now everyone thinks the Champions League is ruined.

I for one don’t think so. While I still do fancy the old format more, I can see why these changes were introduced.

Number one - money. More games and bigger clashes in the group stage are bound to accumulate more money.

A portion of this money will be passed down to developing teams, which is always a big plus. The fans will also get a bunch of additional matches to look forward to.

But, as with everything else in life, some people will be for and some will be against...

Conclusion

The all-new CL format has divided the fans. But, if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that the group stage now packs more high-quality matches than ever before.

So, if you’re ready to get the ball rolling with your Champions League bets, we welcome you to the Winz.io sportsbook!