UEFA Confirms Retention of Extra Time in Champions League Knockout Rounds

UEFA has affirmed its commitment to using extra time to decide knockout stage matches in the Champions League, coinciding with the adoption of the new league phase system in 2025. According to this approach, matches that end in a draw after regular time will continue for an additional 30 minutes before resorting to a penalty shootout if the score remains level.

This decision comes at a time when the competition has seen an increased likelihood of draws following the abolition of the away goals rule in 2021, making extra time a crucial stage for determining qualifiers. In this context, reports from the Spanish newspaper Marca in April 2025 indicated that television viewership for tournament matches significantly increases during these additional minutes, which enhances the marketing and public appeal of major continental clashes.

Despite some continental competitions, such as the UEFA Super Cup, opting to decide draws directly by penalty shootouts after 90 minutes, the continental federation has chosen to maintain the current tradition in the Champions League. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions about reducing player workload, as there have been historical demands to abolish extra time to lessen the number of minutes professionals play during the congested football season.