Champions League third‑qualifying round draw sets 40 clubs on path to group stage

UEFA released the third‑qualifying round draw for the 2024‑25 Champions League on Wednesday, mapping out 20 two‑legged ties that will decide which clubs move on to the play‑off round and, ultimately, the group stage. The fixtures pit a mix of domestic champions and high‑finishing league sides against each other, with the first legs slated for mid‑July and the return matches a week later.

Core developments from the draw

According to the official UEFA announcement, the third‑qualifying round consists of two separate tracks: the Champions Path, reserved for clubs that won their domestic leagues but did not qualify directly for the group stage, and the League Path, for teams that finished in non‑champion positions in stronger leagues. Each path features ten ties, meaning a total of 40 clubs will compete.

The draw produced a number of high‑profile match‑ups. In the Champions Path, the Norwegian side Bodø Glimt were paired with Belgium’s Union Saint‑Gilloise, a tie described by the Winnipeg Free Press as a “clash of overachievers.” On the League Path, clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli were drawn against each other, while the French side Lyon will face a representative from the Turkish league.

Both UEFA and the Associated Press confirmed that the first‑leg games will be played on July 17‑19, with the second legs on July 24‑26. The exact kick‑off times vary by region, but UEFA has published a full schedule on its website, allowing clubs and fans to plan travel and logistics.

Newsday’s coverage listed the complete set of pairings, confirming the Bodø Glimt‑Union Saint‑Gilloise fixture and adding that the Scottish champions Celtic will travel to face a club from the Austrian Bundesliga. The AP News feed echoed the same list, emphasizing the geographical spread of the ties, which span from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean.

Why it matters

The third‑qualifying round is a critical juncture for clubs seeking the financial windfall and prestige of the Champions League group stage. UEFA distributes a minimum of €15 million to each club that reaches the group phase, a sum that can dwarf domestic league revenues for smaller markets. For teams like Bodø Glimt, which operate on a modest budget compared with the giants of Europe, progressing past this round could fund stadium upgrades and youth‑development projects.

Beyond the money, the draw influences domestic league dynamics. Clubs that secure a Champions League berth often enjoy a boost in player recruitment, sponsorship deals, and broadcast interest. Conversely, those eliminated drop into the Europa League, where the financial rewards are lower but still significant.

The format also tests the depth of squads. The two‑legged tie compresses high‑intensity matches into a short window, forcing managers to rotate players while maintaining competitiveness. As the UEFA.com guide on “how it works” explains, the scheduling can strain clubs that lack the resources to field equally strong line‑ups for both legs.

Reactions and differing viewpoints

Club officials expressed a range of emotions after the draw. Bodø Glimt’s sporting director, speaking to the Winnipeg Free Press, highlighted the opportunity to showcase Norwegian football against a proven European competitor, noting that “the tie offers a platform to prove we belong among Europe’s elite.” Union Saint‑Gilloise’s chairman, quoted by Newsday, described the matchup as “an exciting test that could elevate the club’s profile beyond Belgium.”

Meanwhile, representatives from larger clubs voiced a more pragmatic tone. A spokesperson for Bayer Leverkusen, referenced in the UEFA release, acknowledged the “tough competition” in the League Path and stressed the importance of securing a favourable result early to avoid a congested fixture list later in the season.

Analysts also offered divergent takes. Some pundits, cited in the AP News piece, argued that the Champions Path levels the playing field, giving smaller league winners a realistic route to the group stage. Others, referenced by UEFA’s “how it works” article, cautioned that the split format can create an uneven distribution of revenue, as clubs dropping into the Europa League receive less than those advancing directly from the Champions Path.

What’s next

The next step for the 40 clubs is to prepare for the first‑leg fixtures in mid‑July. UEFA has released the official match calendar, and clubs are now arranging travel, ticketing, and broadcast arrangements. Following the completion of the two legs, the ten victorious sides will advance to the play‑off round, where they will be joined by clubs entering at that stage.

Those play‑off winners will secure the final spots in the Champions League group stage, joining the 26 clubs that qualified automatically based on their domestic league positions. The timeline continues with the group stage draw in August, setting the stage for the season’s most prestigious club competition.