The CONCACAF Champions League is no more, as the competition has been revamped and rebranded as the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
CONCACAF announced the sweeping changes to the competition on Tuesday, which will see the teams increase from 16 to 27 and the prize money for the champion increase to $5 million, more than five times the previous amount.
Starting with the 2024 edition, 22 teams will begin play in round one with five given a bye to the round of 16, with all ties taking place in a two-leg, home-and-away format.
In another change, the final will now be a single match rather than the home-and-away playoff that it had been previously.
The rebrand is actually a return to the competition’s previous name, as it was known as the CONCACAF Champions Cup from 1962 to 2008.
“Maintaining the word ‘Champions’ was crucial for us to highlight that this tournament is at the top of the club pyramid in CONCACAF,” said the confederation’s general secretary Philippe Moggio.
“We also feel that moving away from ‘Champions League’ allows us to develop a unique identity for our club competition. In returning to the original tournament name, we will have the opportunity to truly connect the last 61 years of Continental club football in CONCACAF with what is coming in the future.”
CONCACAF Champions Cup format
Credit: CONCACAF
Three teams will qualify through the new CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, while six will qualify through the new CONCACAF Central American Cup. Three will come from the newly expanded Leagues Cup between MLS and Liga MX.
The two leagues will qualify 11 teams between them through league and playoff play, while two teams will come from the Canadian Premier League.
Finally, the champions of the U.S. Open Cup and Canadian Championship will earn a spot.
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