Europe’s top four leagues will have four automatic places in the Champions League group stage from the 2018-19 season onwards.
The move, which is understood to have been championed by representatives from Spain and Italy, has partly been driven by the threat of a breakaway European Super League by top clubs
Other changes implemented by Uefa, to take effect in 2018 when the new three-year commercial cycle begins, will see clubs judged on their own records, deleting the country share for the individual club coefficient unless that coefficient is lower than 20% of the association’s coefficient.
Historical success in the competition will also be acknowledged in coefficient calculation with points awarded for European titles, while financial distribution to clubs will be increased significantly for the Champions League and Europa League.
The Champions League will continue to have a 32-team group stage and a 16-club knockout phase and the Europa League remains at 48 teams, although in a new development the winners will automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage as currently they can potentially take part in a play-off round.
“The evolution of Uefa’s club competitions is the result of a wide-ranging consultative process involving all stakeholders and taking into account a wide range of expertise and perspectives,” said Uefa’s general secretary ad interim, Theodore Theodoridis. “The amendments made will continue to ensure qualification based on sporting merit, and the right of all associations and their clubs to compete in Europe’s elite club competitions.
“We are happy European football remains united behind the concepts of solidarity, fair competition, fair distribution and good governance.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the European Clubs Association, which lobbies on behalf of teams playing in continental competition, said: “I welcome Uefa’s decision, it reflects a serious and fair solution for European club football. I am particularly pleased with the fact the European football community remains united moving forward.”