Champions League Goals Reach Record Pace Under New Format

The current format was introduced at the start of the 2024-25 season. Under this format, 36 teams take part in a league phase.

So far, 187 goals have been scored in this year's competition. That works out at an average of 4.16 goals per game. This is the highest average in Champions League history.

The 4.16 average is also the third highest in European Cup history. Only 1959-60, with 4.19 goals per game, and 1955-56, with 4.38, have been higher.

The goals have come quickly across several match days. On Tuesday, 40 goals were scored across nine games. Last Wednesday, 46 goals were scored, which was the third highest-scoring day in Champions League history. Together, the 78 goals scored on Tuesday and Wednesday last week made matchday two the highest scoring in history. Matchday one this season saw 69 goals.

In the new format, each side plays eight one-off fixtures in the league phase. The top eight finishers go directly into the knockout stages. Teams placed ninth to 24th enter a two-legged play-off stage. The bottom eight teams are eliminated after the league phase.

Fans who want to see the action can watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. A Champions League Match of the Day is also on BBC One on Wednesday from 22:40 to 00:00.